was established by

USAGE SUMMARY

'was established by' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to something being set up or created. For example: "The company was established by two entrepreneurs in 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NASA was established by Congress on July 29 , 1958

The New York Times - Science

"This neighbourhood was established by our ancestors.

The Guardian

The Institution was established by Act of Congress in 1836.

The New Yorker

Tells how the Fed was established by Pres.

The New Yorker

The 0.7% commitment was established by the UN in 1970.

The Guardian

But that center was established by her husband.

The New York Times

The university was established by the Ohio legislature in 1964.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I didn't think it was established by the co-op".

The New York Times

The controversial arbitration program was established by Delaware in 2009.

The New York Times

The Pontypool factory was established by Edward Allgood about 1732.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The B&O Railroad Company was established by Baltimore Mdd).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was established by" to clearly indicate who or what brought something into existence. Ensure the context is passive, emphasizing the thing established rather than the establisher.

Common error

Avoid using "was established by" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The company was established by John," use "John established the company" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was established by" functions as a passive construction, indicating the origin or creation of something by a specific agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English. The structure highlights the entity that was brought into being, rather than the entity that did the establishing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Unknown

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was established by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that clearly indicates the origin or creation of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, serving to provide factual information about the founding or origination of entities. While it suits formal and neutral registers, it is important to avoid overuse when a more direct, active voice construction would be clearer. Consider alternatives like "was founded by" or "was created by" depending on the context. Remember to ensure the passive voice is truly the best choice for clarity and emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was founded by

Replaces "established" with "founded", emphasizing the act of initial creation.

was created by

Substitutes "established" with "created", focusing on the act of bringing something into existence.

was instituted by

Uses "instituted" instead of "established", suggesting a more formal or official setting up.

was initiated by

Replaces "established" with "initiated", highlighting the commencement or starting point.

was formed by

Uses "formed" instead of "established", emphasizing the process of coming into being.

originated with

Shifts the focus to the origin or source, using a different prepositional construction.

was pioneered by

Emphasizes the innovative or groundbreaking nature of the establishment.

owes its existence to

Highlights the dependence of something's existence on a particular entity or event.

is attributed to

Focuses on attributing the creation or establishment to a specific person or group.

came into being through

Describes the manner in which something was brought into existence.

FAQs

How do I use "was established by" in a sentence?

Use "was established by" to indicate the entity that created or founded something. For example, "The university was established by a group of philanthropists."

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

You can use alternatives like "was founded by", "was created by", or "was initiated by" depending on the context.

Is "was established by" formal or informal?

"Was established by" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in formal writing.

Which is correct, "was established by" or "established by"?

"Was established by" is grammatically correct in passive constructions. "Established by" can be correct in active voice constructions, such as "Established by the founders, the company thrived."