was founded at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was founded at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the specific time or place when an organization, institution, or entity was established. Example: "The university was founded at the beginning of the 20th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The University of Nigeria was founded at Nsukka in 1960.

Encyclopedia Britannica

İnönü University was founded at Malatya in 1975.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group was founded at a propitious time.

The New Yorker

In 1367 the first Hungarian university was founded, at Pécs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adirondack Community College was founded at Glens Falls in 1961.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later in the century another colony was founded at Julianehåb.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The two-year Grays Harbor College was founded at Aberdeen in 1930.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first kibbutz was founded at Deganya in Palestine in 1909.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The English insurance industry as we know it was founded at Lloyd's coffeehouse).

The New Yorker

The Sir William Borlase's Grammar School was founded at Marlow in 1624.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Environmental Resources Training Center was founded at Edwardsville in 1977.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was founded at", ensure that you clearly specify the location (city, institution, etc.) where the founding took place to provide precise context.

Common error

Avoid using "in" instead of "at" when referring to a specific location. "At" pinpoints a particular place, whereas "in" implies a broader area. Therefore, it's more appropriate to say "was founded at a university" rather than "was founded in a university".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was founded at" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating the action of establishing or creating something at a specific location. This usage is supported by Ludwig, as demonstrated by numerous examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

34%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was founded at" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the location where an organization, institution, or entity was established. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is prevalent across various sources, including encyclopedias, news media, and academic publications. It serves to provide historical and contextual information, emphasizing the place of origin. While alternatives like "originated in" or "was established in" exist, "was founded at" is a direct and effective way to convey the founding location. Using "at" correctly to pinpoint the specific location is crucial. Overall, Ludwig's analysis affirms the reliability and versatility of this phrase in diverse writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was established in

Highlights the act of setting something up in a particular location.

originated in

Focuses on the place where something began.

began in

Indicates the starting point or location of something's commencement.

had its origins in

Emphasizes the roots or initial stages of something being located somewhere.

was initiated in

Suggests a formal start or launch in a specific place.

commenced in

Formal way to indicate the start of something in a place.

was inaugurated at

Implies a formal opening or dedication at a specific place.

was instituted at

Focuses on the formal establishment of a system or organization at a location.

took root in

Suggests a gradual establishment and growth in a particular place.

was pioneered at

Highlights the innovative or groundbreaking nature of something that started in a specific location.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "was founded at" in a sentence?

Use "was founded at" to specify the location where an organization, institution, or entity was established. For example, "The university was founded at the beginning of the 20th century."

What are some alternatives to using "was founded at"?

You can use alternatives such as "originated in", "was established in", or "began in" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to use "was founded in" or "was founded at"?

Use "was founded at" when referring to a specific location or institution. Use "was founded in" when referring to a broader geographical area or a particular time period. For example, "The company was founded at a specific address" versus "The company was founded in 1995."

What's the difference between "was founded at" and "was established at"?

While both phrases are similar, "was founded at" typically implies the creation of something entirely new, while "was established at" can also refer to the setting up or confirmation of something that already existed in some form.