was founded in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was founded in" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the year or place that an institution, organization, or company was established. Example: The university was founded in 1875 and has since become one of the most prestigious institutions in the country.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Alibaba was founded in 1999.

The New York Times

Victoria was founded in 1843.

Independent

MediaTek was founded in 1997.

The New York Times - Tech

Mercer was founded in 1909.

The New York Times

Alcor was founded in 1972.

The New Yorker

Omnifone was founded in 2003.

The New York Times

Cato was founded in 1977.

Independent

Svobodny was founded in 1912.

Encyclopedia Britannica

MOCA was founded in 1979.

The New Yorker

It was founded in Stockholm.

The New York Times

Bargemusic was founded in 1977.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was founded in", ensure that you clearly identify the entity being founded and the specific year or location of its founding to provide clear and concise information.

Common error

Avoid using active voice constructions like "They founded it in..." when the passive voice is more appropriate for focusing on the entity being established rather than the founders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was founded in" functions as a passive construction indicating the establishment of an entity. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is widely used and grammatically sound, as evidenced by numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

32%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was founded in" is a common and grammatically sound way to express when an entity was established, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to provide factual and historical context across various sources like news, encyclopedias, and wikis. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to clearly specify the entity and the date or place of founding. Alternatives such as "was established in" or "originated in" can be used for variety. The phrase is best used in the passive voice to focus on the subject being founded.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was established in

Replaces 'founded' with 'established', maintaining a formal tone and meaning.

originated in

Focuses on the place or time of origin rather than the act of founding.

began in

A simpler, more direct way of stating when something started.

had its origins in

Emphasizes the roots or beginnings of something.

was created in

Highlights the act of creation or making something new.

was initiated in

Suggests the beginning of a process or project.

was inaugurated in

Often used for institutions or official bodies, indicating a formal start.

was started in

An informal and straightforward way of expressing the beginning of something.

commenced in

A more formal alternative to 'started' or 'began'.

dates back to

Indicates the time period when something originated, often used for historical contexts.

FAQs

What does "was founded in" mean?

The phrase "was founded in" means that something, such as an organization or institution, was established or created in a particular year or place.

What are some alternatives to saying "was founded in"?

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

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

You can use "was founded in" by stating the name of the organization or institution followed by the phrase and then the year or location, for example, "The university was founded in 1850."

Is it better to say "was founded in" or "was established in"?

Both "was founded in" and "was established in" are correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice often depends on personal preference or the desired tone.