was set up

USAGE SUMMARY

"was set up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used in different contexts, such as describing a past event, explaining a process, or discussing a situation. Example sentence: The company was set up in 1995 by a group of business partners with a vision for innovation and growth.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Olacabs was set up in 2010.

The Economist

Comparethemarket was set up in 2006.

Independent

An investment fund was set up, too.

The Economist

The Commission was set up Jol.

The New Yorker

"It was set up perfectly," Grevers said.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything was set up everywhere.

The New York Times

Waywire was set up in March 2012.

The New York Times

It was set up in 1964.

The Guardian

Rafah Zoo was set up in 1999.

The Times

It was set up in 1990.

The Guardian

ASI was set up in 1992.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was set up" to describe the establishment or configuration of systems, organizations, or events. It implies a deliberate act of creation or preparation.

Common error

Avoid using "was set up" without specifying who performed the action, which can lead to ambiguity. Instead of "The system was set up", specify: "The IT department was set up the system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was set up" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject received the action of being established or arranged. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes a past event where something was created or configured.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was set up" is a very common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe the establishment or arrangement of something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appears in various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. When using "was set up", ensure clarity by specifying who or what initiated the action. Consider alternatives like "was established" or "was created" for nuances in meaning. Being mindful of voice and actor ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was established

Replaces "set up" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the act of founding or creating something.

was created

Focuses on the act of bringing something into existence, similar in meaning but less specific than "set up".

was founded

Implies a more formal or institutional beginning, suitable for organizations or companies.

was arranged

Highlights the act of organizing or planning something in advance.

was organized

Similar to 'arranged', but emphasizes the systematic and structured nature of the preparation.

was prepared

Focuses on making something ready for a specific purpose or event.

was planned

Emphasizes the предварительный thought and design that went into the process.

was instituted

Suggests a formal introduction or implementation of a rule, system, or process.

was initiated

Highlights the start or beginning of a process or project.

was started

A more general term for beginning something, less formal than "set up".

FAQs

How can I use "was set up" in a sentence?

Use "was set up" to describe how something was established or arranged. For instance, "The company "was set up" in 2010" or "The experiment "was set up" to test a new hypothesis".

What are some alternatives to "was set up"?

Alternatives include "was established", "was created", or "was founded", depending on the specific context. Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the nature of the establishment.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "set up"?

While "was set up" (passive) is common, using the active voice can sometimes provide clearer context. For example, instead of "The project "was set up" at Universal", you could say "Universal set up the project".

What's the difference between "was set up" and "was arranged"?

"Was set up" generally implies creating or establishing something, while "was arranged" suggests organizing or planning something. "The meeting "was arranged"" implies scheduling, whereas "The company "was set up"" implies establishment.