was found broken

USAGE SUMMARY

"was found broken" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been discovered to be in a broken or damaged state. For example, "The vase that had been passed down for generations was found broken on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

At the home of an elderly man in Bakersfield where the air-conditioner was found broken, sheriffs found $25,000 in cash.

The New York Times

The ditched helicopter was found broken into several pieces up against rocks.

BBC

Length of the barrel was 7 cm but the barrel of the firearm was found broken (Fig. 2).

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Roz Elle met her own tragic end, surrounded in mystery (at least to Betty) when her body was found broken after a "leap" out a window.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

During the war the pieces were hidden at a castle called Reichstaedt, outside Dresden; at the war's conclusion, the boxes were found broken open and the Nereid stand and several other pieces were missing.

The New York Times

Asda has been found breaking the rules and now must immediately clean up their act.

The Guardian - Business

Thanks to legions of largely amateur keyboard-pounders, characters from books, games, TV shows and comics can be found breaking free from their original plots, periods and landscapes.

BBC

Fragments of lamellar or woven bone could be found breaking off from the fracture surface.

Acta Orthopaedica

Individuals found lighting up will be fined about US$97, while the establishments where the person is found breaking the rules will be fined US$195.

Environmental Health Perspectives

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Vice

When it was found, it was broken in two parts at the base of the temple.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was found broken" when emphasizing the discovery of something's broken state, such as in accident reports or investigative journalism.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "was found broken" can sound somewhat informal in highly formal or scientific writing. Opt for more precise or descriptive alternatives like "was identified as fractured" or "exhibited signs of structural failure" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found broken" functions as a passive construction indicating the state of an object upon discovery. The Ludwig examples illustrate its use across various contexts, from describing damaged property to physical injury.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was found broken" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the discovery of something in a damaged state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and general descriptions. While considered neutral in register, more formal settings may benefit from more precise language. Though only moderately frequent, its straightforward meaning and ease of use make it a practical choice for conveying information about a broken object.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered damaged

Substitutes "found" with "discovered" and "broken" with "damaged", slightly emphasizing the act of discovery and the state of being damaged.

was located in a fractured state

Replaces "found" with "located" and "broken" with "fractured state", making it sound more formal and descriptive.

was unearthed in pieces

Uses "unearthed" instead of "found" and "in pieces" instead of "broken", suggesting a discovery after being buried or hidden.

was recovered in a shattered condition

Employs "recovered" and "shattered condition" instead of "found" and "broken" to suggest retrieval and a more severe form of breakage.

was detected with breakage

Replaces "found" with "detected" and "broken" with the noun "breakage", shifting the focus to the act of detection.

turned up damaged

Uses the phrasal verb "turned up" instead of "was found" and "damaged" instead of "broken", making it more informal.

was revealed to be fractured

Employs "revealed to be" instead of "was found" and "fractured" instead of "broken", highlighting the revealing of a fracture.

showed up in a ruined condition

Substitutes "was found" with "showed up" and "broken" with "ruined condition", creating a more dramatic effect.

was determined to be non-functional

Replaces "found broken" with "determined to be non-functional", shifting the focus to functionality rather than physical breakage.

presented itself as damaged

Uses "presented itself as" and "damaged" instead of "was found" and "broken", personifying the object and emphasizing its state.

FAQs

How can I use "was found broken" in a sentence?

You can use "was found broken" to describe an object discovered in a damaged state. For instance, "The antique vase was found broken on the floor", or "The window was found broken after the storm".

What are some alternatives to "was found broken"?

Alternatives include "was discovered damaged", "was located in a fractured state", or "was unearthed in pieces", depending on the specific context and level of formality you need.

Is it more appropriate to use "was found broken" or "was discovered broken"?

Both "was found broken" and "was discovered broken" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Discovered" might suggest a more intentional or investigative finding, while "found" is more general.

What's the difference between saying something "was found broken" and "was found to be broken"?

The phrase "was found broken" is a more concise way of saying "was found to be broken". The addition of "to be" doesn't significantly alter the meaning but can sometimes add emphasis. Both are acceptable.