was found to

USAGE SUMMARY

"was found to" is a perfectly grammatical and idiomatic phrase.
It is used to indicate that something was discovered through some kind of investigation or research. For example: The criminal's recent whereabouts were found to match the description of the last known location of the stolen goods.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A masseuse was found to suggest so.

The Economist

He was found to have pulmonary tuberculosis.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Beaumont was found to have leukemia.

The New York Times

This difference was found to exist.

The New Yorker

He was found to be "tough".

The New Yorker

Was found to be near 40,000 years.

Independent

This was found to be 15 paces.

The Guardian

The material was found to be nontoxic.

The New York Times

Nothing was found to exclude Mr. Collins.

The New York Times

Douching was found to have no effect.

The New York Times - Health

He was found to be unarmed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the subject of the sentence is clearly defined. For example, instead of saying "It was found to be effective," specify what 'it' refers to. "The new treatment was found to be effective" is clearer.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when passive voice is more appropriate. Saying "Researchers found that..." is different from "It was found that...", where the emphasis is less on the researchers and more on the finding itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found to" functions primarily as a passive reporting verb. It introduces information that has been established through investigation or analysis. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness. Examples in Ludwig show usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was found to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to report discoveries or established facts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it serves to objectively present information derived from investigation or analysis. While alternatives like "was discovered to" or "was identified as" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is clear and the context is appropriate for its formal tone. Avoiding active voice misuse can further refine your writing. All the examples and suggestions confirm a frequent use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered to

Indicates a similar process of uncovering something previously unknown, but often implies a more accidental or serendipitous discovery.

was determined to be

Suggests a more formal or definitive conclusion reached after a thorough evaluation or analysis.

was identified as

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

was revealed to be

Implies that something was previously hidden or not readily apparent, and has now been brought to light.

was ascertained to be

Denotes a process of establishing something with certainty, often through careful investigation.

was proven to be

Highlights that something has been demonstrated or confirmed through evidence or experimentation.

was shown to be

Similar to "proven to be", but can also imply a more visual or observable demonstration.

turned out to be

Indicates an unexpected or surprising outcome after a period of time or investigation.

was established as

Suggests that something has been firmly recognized or accepted as a fact or standard.

was recognized as

Emphasizes the act of acknowledging or accepting something that was previously unknown or unacknowledged.

FAQs

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

Use "was found to" to report a discovery or a conclusion based on evidence or investigation. For example, "The new drug "was found to" reduce symptoms significantly".

What are some alternatives to "was found to"?

You can use alternatives like "was discovered to", "was determined to be", or "was identified as" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "was found to be" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was found to be" is grammatically correct. The "be" is necessary when the phrase is followed by an adjective or a noun that describes the subject. For example, "The experiment "was found to be" successful".

What's the difference between "was found to" and "discovered"?

"Was found to" typically implies a formal investigation or process leading to a conclusion, whereas "discovered" can suggest a more accidental or unexpected finding. The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.