was originally conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

"was originally conceived" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It describes something that was formulated or thought of at an earlier point in time. For example, you could say "The organization was originally conceived in the late 1990s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That line was originally conceived in 1981.

The Economist

The CSL language was originally conceived by Bruce D'Arcus.

Cornell University

This device was originally conceived for abdominal scanning only.

Ultrasonics

"Tick" was originally conceived as a one-man show.

The New York Times

But this was not how scripture was originally conceived.

The Guardian

The complex was originally conceived as a rental.

The New York Times

The project was originally conceived by Sarah Wheelock, an independent researcher.

University of California, Berkeley

It was originally conceived for high-power equipment, which was rigid or fixed.

Practical Electrical Equipment and Installations in Hazardous Areas

Tarsia was originally conceived for maths, but has taken the language world by storm.

The Guardian

The Hyperloop was originally conceived by rocket and car entrepreneur Elon Musk.

MIT Technology Review

But Kevin Shaw's production succeeds because the piece was originally conceived on an intimate scale.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was originally conceived" to clearly indicate the initial idea or design of something before it underwent changes or modifications.

Common error

Don't assume that because something "was originally conceived" in a certain way, it remains that way. Always clarify if the concept has evolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was originally conceived" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an idea, plan, or design was initially formed or created. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase frequently introduces information about the genesis of concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was originally conceived" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the initial formulation of an idea or plan. According to Ludwig, it functions as a passive construction, often providing historical context across News & Media, Science, and Academic domains. While the phrase is versatile, it is important to remember that the original conception might not reflect the current state. Be clear about whether the initial idea remains unchanged or has evolved over time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was conceived of

A slightly more formal way of saying "was conceived", maintaining a similar meaning.

was at first conceived

Adds emphasis to the initial stage of conception.

was initially envisioned

Highlights the initial vision or mental image.

was the original concept

Directly states that something was the initial idea.

was initially designed

Highlights the design aspect and its original intention.

was first intended

Emphasizes the initial purpose or aim.

was planned from the outset

Stresses that the concept was part of the original plan.

originated as

Focuses on the origin or source of something.

started as

Focuses on the beginning or origin of something, without necessarily implying a detailed plan.

began as

Similar to "started as", but might suggest a more gradual or evolutionary beginning.

FAQs

How can I use "was originally conceived" in a sentence?

You can use "was originally conceived" to describe the initial idea or design behind something. For example, "The project "was originally conceived" as a small-scale study, but it expanded over time".

What are some alternatives to "was originally conceived"?

Alternatives include "started as", "began as", or "was initially designed". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was originally conceived of"?

Yes, "was originally conceived of" is also grammatically correct and very similar in meaning to "was originally conceived". They both describe the initial formulation of an idea.

What's the difference between "was originally conceived" and "is currently implemented"?

"Was originally conceived" refers to the initial idea or design, while "is currently implemented" refers to the present state of something. They highlight the evolution or changes that may have occurred over time.