was found with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was found with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was discovered in possession of a particular item or condition. Example: "The suspect was found with a stolen vehicle parked outside the abandoned warehouse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She was found with $17,045, officials said.

The New York Times

No weapon was found with Mr. Hayes.

The New York Times

On his deathbed, he was found with his fingers crossed.

The Guardian - Books

Another officer was found with a collection of Nazi regalia.

The Guardian

It was found with the safety catch still on.

The Guardian

His body was found with the vest intact.

The Guardian

Ms Curran's body was found with 37 stab wounds.

The Guardian

Brian was found with a piece of his skull missing.

The Guardian

A 22-year-old woman was found with graze wounds.

The New York Times

Later, she was found with crack cocaine and jailed.

Independent

Another was found with a fake pilot's licence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was found with" to clearly indicate that someone or something was discovered in possession of a particular item or condition. This phrasing is straightforward and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "found". For example, don't say "was found by" when you mean "was found with", as "by" suggests the agent of discovery, not possession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was found with" functions as a passive verb construction indicating discovery and association. It connects a subject to something that was discovered to be in their possession or associated with them. Ludwig examples show varied usage, reinforcing its role in reporting findings or circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was found with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote discovery and association, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news and scientific reporting, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. To enhance clarity, ensure the preposition aligns with the intended meaning. Alternative phrasings like "was discovered to have" may be used depending on the specific nuance required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered to have

Focuses on the act of discovering possession or a characteristic.

had in their possession

Highlights the possession of an item.

was caught possessing

Implies an act of being caught in the act of possessing something.

was located in possession of

Formal and emphasizes the location and possession.

was detected with

Focuses on the detection of something.

turned up having

Informal way to express that someone was discovered to have something.

was noted to include

Emphasizes the inclusion of something as part of what was found.

was identified carrying

Focuses on the act of carrying something when identified.

was observed holding

Emphasizes the act of holding something when observed.

was revealed to contain

Highlights the content that was revealed upon discovery.

FAQs

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

Use "was found with" to indicate that someone or something was discovered in possession of something. For example, "The suspect "was found with" a weapon".

What are some alternatives to "was found with"?

Alternatives include "was discovered to have", "was caught possessing", or "had in their possession", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was found with" or "was discovered with"?

Both ""was found with"" and "was discovered with" are correct, but ""was found with"" is often more direct and common. The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

What does "was found with" imply?

The phrase ""was found with"" generally implies that something was discovered in someone's possession or associated with them at the time of discovery. It often suggests a connection between the person and the item or condition discovered.