was formed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was formed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the origin of something, or how something came into being. For example: "The United States of America was formed in 1776."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Tells how Alaska was formed.

The New Yorker

And the alliance was formed.

The New York Times - Books

The P.P.P.A. was formed 6 years ago.

The New Yorker

The Ultras Ahlawy was formed in 2007.

The New York Times - Sports

A committee was formed to address absenteeism.

The New York Times

Microsoft's DNA was formed around Windows.

The New York Times

Heritage was formed right after that.

The New York Times

Tech Meetup was formed through Meetup.com.

The New York Times

Saluda county was formed in 1896.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A national union cabinet was formed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A customs union was formed in 2005.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was formed" in the passive voice to emphasize the result of an action or the object that came into being, rather than the agent performing the action.

Common error

Avoid using "was formed" in an active voice construction. The phrase is inherently passive, so rephrase the sentence to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, instead of saying "The committee was formed by John", use "John formed the committee".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was formed" functions as the passive voice of the verb "form". It indicates that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being created or established. Ludwig AI shows its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was formed" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the origin or establishment of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and appears frequently in various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, science, and business. When using "was formed", remember that it's a passive construction, so ensure the sentence structure reflects this. For alternatives, consider options like "came into existence" or "was created" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Be mindful of avoiding incorrect active voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created

Highlights the act of creation, often by an external agent.

was established

Suggests a more formal or official beginning.

came into existence

Emphasizes the beginning of something's being.

was founded

Implies the establishment of an organization or institution.

was brought into being

A more emphatic way of saying something was created.

originated

Focuses on the initial point or cause of something.

emerged

Suggests a coming into view or prominence.

arose

Indicates a gradual emergence or development.

took shape

Focuses on the process of becoming defined or structured.

developed

Highlights a process of growth and change over time.

FAQs

How can I use "was formed" in a sentence?

Use "was formed" to describe the creation or establishment of something. For example, "The band "was formed" in 2005" or "The government "was formed" after the election".

What are some alternatives to "was formed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "came into existence", "originated", "was created", or "was established".

Is it correct to say "has been formed" instead of "was formed"?

Yes, "has been formed" is grammatically correct. "Was formed" refers to a single point in the past, while "has been formed" implies that the formation happened at some point in the past and is still relevant now.

What is the difference between "was formed" and "formed"?

"Was formed" is in the passive voice, indicating that the subject received the action. "Formed" is in the active voice, indicating that the subject performed the action. For instance, "The team was formed by the coach" (passive) versus "The coach formed the team" (active).