was started by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was started by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the origin or initiation of an action or event, typically in a passive construction. Example: "The project was started by a group of dedicated volunteers who wanted to make a difference in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Gogobot was started by Travis Katz.

The New York Times

Club was started by Wood last November.

The New Yorker

The wrong movie was started by mistake".

The Guardian - Film

It was started by Kirschenman's grandfather.

The Guardian

Runner's World was started by Bob Anderson, and Backpacker was started by William Kemsley.

The New York Times

It was started by Benedictine monks in the 11th century.

The Guardian - Travel

The company was started by Ms. Zucker's father, Donald.

The New York Times

The new union was started by former S.E.I.U.

The New York Times

The business was started by his father, in 1860.

The New Yorker

Strikers was started by an Afghan, not a foreigner.

The New York Times

"It was started by an anonymous student," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "was started by" and alternatives like "was launched by" or "was founded by". "Founded" is appropriate for organizations, while "launched" suits projects or campaigns.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the subject initiating the action is clearly identified. A vague or missing initiator weakens the sentence. Instead of saying "The project was started by", specify who started the project, such as "The project "was started by" a group of volunteers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was started by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating the agent that initiated an action or event. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it connects a result (something that was started) to its cause (the entity that started it).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was started by" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the initiator of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across varied contexts, as shown through numerous examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's essential to ensure clarity in passive constructions and consider the context when choosing alternative phrases. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, science, and formal business writing, making it a valuable part of one's linguistic toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initiated by

Emphasizes the beginning or commencement of something, similar to "was started by" but sounds slightly more formal.

was commenced by

Similar to "was started by", but may imply a more structured or official beginning.

was launched by

Suggests a more public or formal introduction or beginning.

originated with

Indicates the source or beginning point of something.

began with

A simpler way to express the start of something, focusing on the initial action.

was created by

Focuses on the act of creation or making something new, instead of the start.

was founded by

Specifically used for organizations, companies, or institutions.

was pioneered by

Highlights the innovative or groundbreaking nature of the beginning.

was established by

Indicates the setting up or firm establishment of something.

stemmed from

Suggests that something arose or developed from a particular source or cause.

FAQs

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

Use "was started by" to indicate who or what initiated something. For example, "The company "was started by" two college friends" or "The fire "was started by" a lightning strike".

What phrases are similar to "was started by"?

Alternatives include "was initiated by", "was launched by", or "was founded by" depending on the context. For example, you might say a company "was founded by" someone.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "was started by"?

The phrase is inherently passive. While grammatically correct, consider if an active voice construction would be clearer. Instead of "The project "was started by" the team", you could say "The team started the project".

What's the difference between "was started by" and "originated with"?

"Was started by" focuses on the act of beginning something, while "originated with" emphasizes the source or initial point. For example, a trend "originated with" a celebrity, but a company "was started by" an entrepreneur.