was originally settled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was originally settled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the historical establishment or founding of a place or community. Example: "The town was originally settled in the early 1800s by pioneers seeking new opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Inno Island was originally settled by pirates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Qatar was originally settled by Bedouin nomads from the central part of the Arabian Peninsula.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The town was originally settled by Oscan-speaking people, the native inhabitants of Campania.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The site was originally settled in 1653 as a farming community known as East Chelmsford.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hartley Farms was originally settled in 1853 by the Hartley family, ancestors of the Platts.

The New York Times

The History Lake Mahopac was originally settled by the Wappingers, one of the Algonquin Indian tribes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

The valleys were originally settled by the Raeti (Rhaeti), a people probably Celtic in origin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The southeastern corner of the province that includes the towns of Granby, Sherbrooke, and Magog is known as the Eastern Townships, which were originally settled by loyalists seeking asylum during the American Revolution in what remained British territory.

Britannica

The hill country west of Austin, dotted with charming small towns that were originally settled by mostly central European immigrants in the 19th century, is a recreational region with the chain of Highland Lakes (including Town Lake and Lake Austin, which wind through the city) impounded by dams along the Colorado River.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Hebrides were originally settled in the Mesolithic era and have a diversity of prehistoric sites.

Wikipedia

The Hebrides were originally settled in the Mesolithic era and have a diversity of important prehistoric sites.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the history of a place, use "was originally settled" to clearly indicate the initial establishment or inhabitation by a particular group or people.

Common error

Avoid using present tense when describing historical settlements. Instead of saying "is originally settled", use the past tense "was originally settled" to accurately reflect that the settlement occurred in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was originally settled" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the initial establishment of a place or area. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It describes a historical event where a location began to be inhabited.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

28%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was originally settled" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the initial inhabitation of a place, according to Ludwig AI. It's frequently found in historical contexts across various source types, including encyclopedias, news articles, and academic works. While alternatives like "was initially inhabited" or "was first colonized" exist, "was originally settled" provides a clear and direct way to convey this historical fact. When using this phrase, ensure you maintain past tense consistency and provide factual information about the settling group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initially inhabited

Replaces "settled" with "inhabited", focusing on the initial presence of inhabitants.

was initially established

Uses "established" to emphasize the setting up of something in the beginning.

was first populated

Highlights the start of population growth in a particular area.

was first colonized

Emphasizes the aspect of colonization, implying a more structured establishment.

was founded in

Focuses on the act of founding, often used for cities or institutions.

originated as a settlement

Shifts the structure to emphasize the origin as a settlement.

began as a community

Highlights the community aspect of the initial establishment.

saw its first settlers in

Focuses on the arrival of the first people who settled the area.

had its roots in

Emphasizes the place's origins or beginning.

first took root as

Implies a gradual development of a settlement from its beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "was originally settled" to describe the initial establishment of a place, for example: "The region was originally settled by nomadic tribes".

What can I say instead of "was originally settled"?

You can use alternatives like "was initially inhabited", "was first colonized", or "was first populated depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is originally settled" instead of "was originally settled"?

No, it is not correct. Use "was originally settled" to indicate that the settlement happened in the past. "Is originally settled" would imply that the settlement is still in its initial state, which is usually not the case.

What's the difference between "was originally settled" and "was later developed"?

"Was originally settled" refers to the initial inhabitation, while "was later developed" describes subsequent growth and changes. A location might have "was originally settled" by one group and then "was later developed" by others.