was known as

USAGE SUMMARY

"was known as" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe something that was once referred to by a different name or title. For example: The ancient city of Babylon, which was known as the "Gateway of the Gods," is located in modern-day Iraq.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Health officials in Louisiana said that of the 55 patients there whose ages were known, 24 were 60 or older.

The New York Times

In cases where the motives were known, 116 homicides were gang related.

The New York Times

If the event is known Si,k=1.

Security Informatics

The crystal structure of VAP-1 is known [27].

EJNMMI Research

In such a case, it is known [13, Chap.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

A few polynomial special cases of PSAT are known [1].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

The energy demand of the VLT is known [1].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Also, the dead core solution is known, (3.15).

Advances in Difference Equations

Numerous different mechanisms of water adsorption are known [15].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Lethal effect of silver nanoparticles on bacteria [139] and yeast [52] are known [53, 140].

Nanoscale Research Letters

An overdate is known, 1887/6.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was known as", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject had a different name or title. For example, specify if it was a historical name, a nickname, or a previous official designation.

Common error

Avoid using "is known as" when referring to something that was known by a different name only in the past. Use "was known as" for past references and "is known as" for current names or titles.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was known as" functions as a linking verb phrase establishing an equivalence between a subject and a former designation or identity. This phrase indicates that something had a specific name or title in the past. Examples in Ludwig illustrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was known as" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate a past name or title. Ludwig's analysis reveals its prevalence across diverse domains, including Science, News & Media, and Wiki. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for various contexts, while related phrases like "was referred to as" offer alternative ways to express the same meaning. When writing, remember to use "was known as" specifically for past designations and avoid confusing it with "is known as", which indicates a current name. According to Ludwig, its function is to provide historical context or explain a change in nomenclature. This phrase is essential for clarity and precision in historical, scientific, and general writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

used to be known as

Suggests a change in name or title over time.

was referred to as

Highlights the act of mentioning or alluding to something by a particular name.

was formerly named

Highlights a previous official name.

was recognized as

Focuses on public acknowledgement rather than just a name or title.

was previously identified as

Indicates a change in identification or classification.

was identified as

Emphasizes the act of pinpointing or classifying something.

was then called

Focuses on a specific point in time when a particular name was used.

was designated as

Implies an official naming or labeling.

was traditionally called

Indicates a historical or customary name.

once went by the name of

Emphasizes a past identity or title.

FAQs

What's the difference between "was known as" and "is known as"?

"Was known as" refers to a name or title used in the past, while "is known as" indicates the current name or title. For example, "Constantinople was known as Byzantium" (past) versus "Paris is known as the City of Lights" (present).

What can I say instead of "was known as"?

You can use alternatives like "was referred to as", "was formerly named", or "used to be known as" depending on the specific context.

How to use "was known as" in a sentence?

Use "was known as" to indicate that a person, place, or thing had a different name or title in the past. For example, "The country was known as Persia before being renamed Iran."

Is it correct to say "was known by" instead of "was known as"?

While "was known by" isn't incorrect, it implies a different meaning. "Was known as" refers to a formal or common name, whereas "was known by" often implies a reputation or characteristic. For example, "He was known as a scholar" versus "He was known by his generosity".