were first conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were first conceived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the initial idea or creation of something in the past. Example: "The theories of relativity were first conceived by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Test-tube babies, they point out, raised comparable concerns when they were first conceived.

The Economist

When they were first conceived in the 1990s, smart fridges promised to revolutionise the way we interact with food.

MIT Technology Review

Memes were first conceived of in 1976 by the evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins in his book "The Selfish Gene".

The New York Times - Books

When the exams were first conceived, student performance on these high school end-of-course-based exams was a factor in university admission and financial aid eligibility.

Stanford University

The themes of Mr. Bush's speech to the United Nations were first conceived in those sessions, and military options were also discussed.

The New York Times

The Hardy Boys were first conceived by Edward Stratemeyer, a prolific hack with a nose for business who become the Henry Ford of children's fiction.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Bond was first conceived as a Cold War-era operative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The internet bubble occurred nearly four decades after the internet was first conceived.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This hypothesis was first conceived early in 1968 by Sir Harold Beeley, then British Ambassador in Cairo.

The New York Times

It was first conceived as an out-of-season competitor to the NFL nearly two decades ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Wherever this idea was first conceived, it has received little support.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were first conceived", ensure the context clearly indicates what or who did the conceiving, even if it's implied. This provides clarity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "were first conceived" in contexts where the subject of conception is unclear or missing. Always ensure the sentence provides enough context to understand what was initially imagined or created.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were first conceived" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something was initially imagined or created. It is typically used to describe the origin of ideas, plans, or designs. Ludwig AI confirms this is used in English and provides examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

29%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were first conceived" is a passive construction used to indicate the initial creation or origination of something. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in various reputable sources such as news media, academic publications, and encyclopedias. It serves the purpose of providing historical context and is generally used in a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates what or who did the conceiving to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "were initially created" or "originated as" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were initially created

Focuses on the action of creation at the beginning.

were originally designed

Emphasizes the original design purpose.

were initially planned

Highlights the initial planning stage.

were the original idea

Stresses the concept as the starting point.

were the starting point

Uses a more general term for beginning.

originated as

Uses a verb to indicate origin.

began as

Simpler way to express initial stages.

were pioneered

Focuses on the pioneering aspect.

were at the inception

Formal way to indicate the beginning.

were in their infancy

Metaphorically indicates the early stage.

FAQs

How to use "were first conceived" in a sentence?

Use "were first conceived" to describe the initial creation or idea behind something. For example, "The theories of relativity "were first conceived" by Albert Einstein".

What can I say instead of "were first conceived"?

You can use alternatives like "were initially created", "were originally designed", or "originated as" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "were first conceived" or "was first conceived"?

"Were first conceived" is used with plural subjects, while "was first conceived" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The ideas "were first conceived"" versus "The concept "was first conceived"".

What's the difference between "were first conceived" and "were later developed"?

"Were first conceived" refers to the initial idea or creation, while "were later developed" refers to the subsequent process of expanding or improving upon that initial idea. They describe different stages in the evolution of something.