well-founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "well-founded" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something which is based on good evidence or information, or which is reasonable and logical. For example: "The professor's theory is well-founded, and has been widely accepted by the academic community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The fear is well-founded.

The Economist

Her fear is well-founded.

The Economist

Now the bankers' fears appear well-founded.

The New York Times

Those expectations appear to be well-founded.

The New York Times

The fears may be well-founded.

The New York Times - Tech

German anger is obvious and well-founded.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Their faith seems well founded.

The Economist

Neither reason is well founded.

The Economist

The concern is well founded.

The New York Times

Her angst is well founded.

The New York Times

Rajevac's concern is probably well founded.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "well-founded" to lend credibility to an argument or claim by emphasizing its basis in evidence or reason. It shows that the statement isn't merely an opinion but has a solid foundation.

Common error

Avoid using "well-founded" to describe beliefs or feelings that are not based on evidence or logical reasoning. "Well-founded" implies a rational basis, not just personal conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "well-founded" functions as an adjective, typically used to modify nouns representing arguments, fears, theories, or beliefs. It indicates that these have a solid basis in evidence, logic, or reason, as shown in the Ludwig examples, where fears, concerns and arguments are described as "well-founded".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "well-founded" is an adjective indicating that something is based on solid evidence or reasoning. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts to lend credibility to arguments, fears, and theories. Related phrases include "justified" and "substantiated". When using "well-founded", ensure that the claim truly has a rational basis, avoiding its misuse for mere beliefs. By emphasizing the basis in evidence, "well-founded" strengthens your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

обоснованный

Justified as translation of well-founded.

well-supported

Directly indicates strong backing from evidence or data.

substantiated

Highlights that the claims or ideas are supported by evidence.

justified

Emphasizes the legitimacy or righteousness of the basis.

sound

Suggests a solid and reliable basis.

grounded

Implies a firm basis in reality or practical considerations.

reasoned

Stresses the use of logical thinking and rationale.

valid

Focuses on the logical soundness and correctness of the foundation.

verifiable

Highlights that claims can be checked or proven to be true.

legitimate

Indicates conformity to the law or to rules.

FAQs

How can I use "well-founded" in a sentence?

You can use "well-founded" to describe a fear, theory, or argument that is based on solid evidence or good reasoning. For example, "The scientist's theory is "well-founded" because it's supported by extensive research data".

What are some alternatives to saying "well-founded"?

Some alternatives to "well-founded" include "justified", "valid", and "substantiated". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "ill-founded" as the opposite of "well-founded"?

Yes, "ill-founded" is a correct and commonly used antonym of "well-founded". It means not based on reason or good judgment. Alternatively, you could also use "unfounded".

What's the difference between "well-founded" and "justified"?

"Well-founded" emphasizes the existence of a strong base or foundation of evidence or reasoning, while "justified" focuses more on the righteousness or appropriateness of something. A fear can be "well-founded" due to specific threats, but "justified" implies it's a reasonable response to a situation.