was in existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was in existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something existed at a particular time in the past. Example: "The ancient civilization was in existence long before recorded history began."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The emissions unit was "in existence" as of August 7, 1977.

Cornell University

KIAP, as the program was known, was in existence from 1962 to 1972.

Princeton University

The House (of Representatives) committee, or Huac, was in existence from 1939 until 1975.

The Guardian

It remained only for someone to combine what was in existence or clearly capable of creation.

Britannica

"I didn't even know if he was sure U.F.C. was in existence".

The New York Times - Sports

The fact that an order from above was in existence became known to us at the end of 1944.

Yale University

While DCNS was in existence, I had been a member of the Network Operations Group and the DCNS Development Team.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A school system was in existence, but it received scant attention or support from those responsible for government.

Britannica

Once Israel was in existence or Jews were settled there then the idea they should disappear was not on.

The Guardian - Books

In the nine years that DaimlerChrysler was in existence, no one could ever decide how to pronounce "Daimler".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Distinctly narrow rings seen in multiple samples are of particular interest because they indicate that a single factor limiting the growth of the trees a drought, for instance was in existence across the site.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was in existence" to clearly indicate that something existed at a specific point in the past, especially when providing historical context or timelines.

Common error

Avoid using "was in existence" when a simple verb like "existed" or "was" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was in existence" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a state of being or existence at a particular time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly indicates that something existed at a particular time. Examples show it used across varied contexts to establish historical or temporal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was in existence" is a grammatically sound way to indicate that something existed at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and appropriate for various contexts. While alternatives like "existed" might be more concise in some cases, "was in existence" is useful for emphasizing the duration or specific period of something's being. Its frequency across diverse sources, including news, academia, and encyclopedias, highlights its versatility and broad acceptance in both formal and neutral registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

existed

Direct synonym, indicating a state of being in the past.

was in effect

Focuses on being valid or applicable.

was present

Emphasizes the presence of something at a specific time.

was established

Highlights the fact of being founded, especially for institutions.

was around

More informal way to indicate existence.

prevailed

Suggests dominance or widespread existence.

obtained

Highlights the actuality or the reality of being in existence.

was operative

Implies being functional or in effect.

held sway

Indicates influence or control, implying existence.

subsisted

Suggests survival or minimal existence.

FAQs

What does "was in existence" mean?

The phrase "was in existence" means that something existed or was present at a particular time in the past. It's used to indicate that something had reality or being during a certain period.

How can I use "was in existence" in a sentence?

You can use "was in existence" to specify when something existed, for example: "The Roman Empire "was in existence" for centuries."

What can I say instead of "was in existence"?

Alternatives to "was in existence" include "existed", "was present", or "was around", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it better to say "was in existence" or "existed"?

While both are correct, "existed" is often more concise and suitable for general use. "Was in existence" can be used when you want to emphasize the period or duration of something's existence or the actuality of being in existence.