was discovered by

USAGE SUMMARY

"was discovered by" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe the person who uncovered, revealed, or identified something. For example: "The new species of shark was discovered by a team of marine biologists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His body was discovered by his flatmates.

Independent

The library was discovered by accident.

The New Yorker

The victim was discovered by his mother.

The New York Times

It was discovered by me in 1914".

Independent

This field was discovered by Mariner 10.

The Economist

She was discovered by chance.

The Guardian - Books

Then he was discovered by her family.

The Guardian

My cancer was discovered by a mammogram.

The New York Times

That hazard that was discovered by the center.

The New York Times

The forgery was discovered by Mr. Kelber, the Audible lawyer.

The New York Times

Another problem was discovered by DirecTV subscribers in New Jersey.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was discovered by", ensure the sentence clearly identifies both the thing that was discovered and the person or entity that made the discovery. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides clear context.

Common error

Avoid using "was discovered by" when the subject was already known or documented. Use a different phrasing like "was popularized by" or "was studied by" to more accurately reflect the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was discovered by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the agent who performed the action of discovery. Ludwig provides various examples demonstrating its usage, such as "His body was discovered by his flatmates".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

39%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was discovered by" serves as a grammatically sound and highly prevalent construction used to attribute the act of discovery to a particular agent. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is deemed correct for written English, signifying its widespread acceptance. Across various domains, from News & Media to Scientific publications, the phrase helps to pinpoint the source or originator of a finding. When aiming for clarity and precision in your writing, "was discovered by" is an effective way to identify the person or entity responsible for bringing new information to light. However, exercise caution to ensure correct usage, particularly to avoid attributing known facts to specific individuals inaccurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was found by

Focuses on the act of finding something, often accidentally or incidentally.

was detected by

Implies the use of specific tools or methods to identify something that was previously hidden or unknown.

was identified by

Highlights the act of recognizing or classifying something based on specific characteristics.

was revealed by

Emphasizes the unveiling of something that was previously secret or concealed.

was unearthed by

Suggests the uncovering of something that was buried or hidden, either literally or figuratively.

was brought to light by

Emphasizes the act of making something known or public after it was previously concealed or ignored.

came to be known through

Shifts the focus to the process through which something became known, rather than the specific person who discovered it.

was pioneered by

Highlights the initial development or introduction of something innovative.

was invented by

Indicates the creation of something entirely new.

was brought into existence by

Highlights the act of creation or origination by a particular individual or group.

FAQs

How to use "was discovered by" in a sentence?

Use "was discovered by" to indicate who found or revealed something for the first time. For example, "Penicillin "was discovered by" Alexander Fleming."

What can I say instead of "was discovered by"?

You can use alternatives like "was found by", "was identified by", or "was revealed by" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was discovered by accident"?

Yes, it is correct. It means that the discovery happened unintentionally or unexpectedly. For example, "The new chemical compound "was discovered by" accident during an experiment."

What's the difference between "was discovered by" and "was invented by"?

"Was discovered by" means to find something that already exists, while "was invented by" means to create something new. For example, America "was discovered by" Columbus, and the light bulb "was invented by" Edison.