was found by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was found by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the person or entity that discovered or located something. Example: "The missing artifact was found by a team of archaeologists during their excavation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Penelope Davis was found by her husband.

The Guardian

The satellite phone was found by the police in Djerba.

The New York Times

Her body was found by searchers Feb. 27.

The New York Times

His bullet-riddled body was found by the road.

The New York Times - Travel

Was found by his room mate in their team hotel.

The Guardian - Sport

It was found by workers building a new subway station.

The New York Times

He was found by another child in the community.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eventually I was found by some local villagers.

The Guardian

"I was found by the police at 3am.

The Guardian

The suitcase was found by someone out walking his dog.

The New Yorker

Kelley's body was found by his wife, Mary Ruth.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was found by" to clearly indicate who or what made a discovery. This provides context and attribution, enhancing the credibility of your statement.

Common error

Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what "was found" and who "found" it. Ambiguous phrasing can lead to misinterpretations of who made the discovery.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found by" functions as a passive construction indicating the agent of discovery. Ludwig's examples show it used across different domains, highlighting its broad applicability in attributing findings or discoveries to specific entities. This emphasizes who or what performed the action of finding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

59%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was found by" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to attribute a discovery or finding to a specific entity. Ludwig AI shows that its application spans across various fields, from news and media to scientific research. While maintaining a neutral tone, it ensures clear attribution, adding credibility to statements. To avoid ambiguity, always ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what was found and who found it. By using "was found by" effectively, writers can provide context and enhance the overall quality of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered by

Replaces "found" with a more formal synonym, "discovered".

was located by

Focuses on the act of pinpointing the location of something.

was detected by

Suggests the use of a method or tool to find something that was not immediately apparent.

was uncovered by

Implies revealing something that was previously hidden or unknown.

was identified by

Highlights the process of recognizing or establishing the identity of something.

was unearthed by

Suggests digging up something that was buried or hidden underground.

came across by

Indicates finding something unexpectedly or by chance.

was encountered by

Implies a meeting or confrontation while searching.

was stumbled upon by

Suggests finding something in a casual and unplanned manner.

was revealed by

Indicates that someone/something showed the phrase.

FAQs

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

Use "was found by" to indicate who or what discovered something, for example, "The solution "was found by" the redoubtable Mayor Cermak".

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

You can use alternatives like "was discovered by", "was located by", or "was detected by" depending on the context.

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

"Was found by" uses the passive voice, which is grammatically correct for indicating discovery. "Found by" is incomplete and grammatically incorrect in most contexts without an auxiliary verb like "was".

What's the difference between "was found by" and "was uncovered by"?

"Was found by" is a general term for discovering something. "Was uncovered by" implies revealing something that was previously hidden or secret.