was invented by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was invented by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to attribute the creation of an object, concept, or idea to a specific person or group. Example: "The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sex was invented by God".

The New York Times

The PDF format was invented by Adobe.

The Economist

It was invented by pilots, he explains.

Independent

Naturally, it was invented by a gardener.

The New York Times

The hovercraft was invented by Sir Christopher Cockerell.

The New York Times

But it too was invented by Hanoi.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sting's style was invented by Sting.

The Guardian - Books

The wheeled suitcase was invented by Bernard Sadow in 1972.

Yale University

The jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle.

Yale University

This great idea was invented by Scott and Strachey.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"This industrial park was invented by the Americans," Jaber said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When attributing an invention, be specific and accurate about the person or entity responsible. Citing the correct inventor adds credibility to your writing and avoids potential misattribution.

Common error

Avoid using "was invented by" when the development was a collaborative effort or evolved over time. Instead, use phrases like "was developed by" or "benefited from the contributions of" to reflect a more nuanced history.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was invented by" functions as a passive construction used to attribute the creation or origination of something to a specific person or entity. This construction emphasizes the object or concept that was created, with the inventor as the agent responsible for its creation. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was invented by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for attributing the creation of something to its originator. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, serving the purpose of providing credit and informing the audience about the origin of a particular invention or concept. While alternatives like "was created by" or "was developed by" exist, "was invented by" remains a clear and effective way to highlight the inventor and their contribution. Remember to be specific and accurate when using this phrase to maintain credibility and avoid misattribution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created by

This alternative replaces "invented" with "created", focusing on the act of bringing something into existence.

was developed by

This alternative suggests a process of gradual improvement and refinement leading to the final product.

was conceived by

This alternative emphasizes the initial idea or concept behind the invention.

was designed by

This alternative highlights the planning and purposeful creation of something.

was originated by

This alternative focuses on the starting point or initial source of the invention.

was pioneered by

This alternative suggests that the person or group was the first to develop or use the invention.

is attributed to

This alternative indicates that the invention is credited to a particular person or group.

owes its existence to

This alternative highlights the dependency of the invention on the person or group responsible for it.

is the brainchild of

This alternative emphasizes the inventiveness and ingenuity of the person or group behind the invention.

has its roots in

This alternative focuses on the origin and historical context of the invention.

FAQs

How can I use "was invented by" in a sentence?

Use "was invented by" to credit the originator of a specific invention or concept. For example, "The printing press was invented by Johannes Gutenberg."

What are some alternatives to "was invented by"?

Alternatives include "was created by", "was developed by", or "was pioneered by", depending on the context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify who something "was invented by"?

While specifying the inventor adds credibility, it's not always necessary. If the inventor is unknown or irrelevant to the context, you can omit this information or use a phrase like "is believed to have been invented".

What is the difference between saying something "was invented by" versus "was discovered by"?

"Was invented by" implies the creation of something new, whereas "was discovered by" suggests finding something that already existed. For example, penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming, while the light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison.