were found to have

USAGE SUMMARY

"were found to have" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it whenever something has been discovered to possess certain qualities or attributes. For example: The students' essays were found to have excellent structure and grammar.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All were found to have teratomas.

The New York Times

None were found to have the disease.

The New York Times

Trading profits were found to have been overstated by £326m.

The Guardian - Business

These were found to have poor activity.

Chemistry Central Journal

Fifteen patients were found to have proximal ureteral stone.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

FEM patients were found to have lower FSIQ than HCs.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Workers were found to have marked degree of pallor.

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences

Twentypercentt of children were found to have intracranial extension.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

No children were found to have associated intracranial anomalies.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Thirty patients (20%) were found to have CHD.

The American Journal of Cardiology

The natural subregions were found to have distinct FRI distributions.

Forest Ecology and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were found to have" to objectively report findings or discoveries. Ensure the subject of the phrase is clearly defined and the characteristic being described is accurately represented.

Common error

Avoid using "were found to have" when an active voice would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The errors were found to have been caused by a software bug", consider "A software bug caused the errors."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were found to have" functions as a passive reporting verb. It indicates that something was discovered or determined to possess a certain quality or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were found to have" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to report discoveries or identified characteristics. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use in various contexts, though it's particularly prevalent in scientific and formal writing. While direct alternatives such as "were discovered to possess" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and specific nuance. When using this phrase, remember to consider whether an active voice would improve clarity. Considering its frequent presence in scientific sources, adopting the alternatives indicated on Ludwig may result in a more concise and impactful writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were identified as having

Highlights the process of identifying something with a particular characteristic. It is slightly more specific than the original phrase.

were discovered to possess

This alternative emphasizes the act of discovering something as a quality or attribute, implying a more thorough investigation.

were revealed to contain

Emphasizes the uncovering of something previously unknown or hidden, often used when discussing components or elements.

were observed to display

Focuses on the observation of certain behaviors or characteristics.

were determined to exhibit

Suggests a formal assessment or investigation led to the conclusion of exhibiting certain traits.

were noted to present with

Commonly used in medical or scientific contexts to describe the presentation of symptoms or conditions.

were shown to manifest

Implies a demonstration or proof that something exhibits certain qualities or behaviors.

were ascertained to include

Indicates a process of careful investigation and confirmation that something includes specific elements.

were recognized as bearing

Highlights the recognition of something carrying or possessing a particular attribute.

were diagnosed with

Specifically used in medical contexts to indicate the identification of a disease or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "were found to have" in a sentence?

You can use "were found to have" to report discoveries or characteristics identified through investigation or analysis. For example, "The patients "were found to have" a rare genetic mutation".

What are some alternatives to "were found to have"?

Alternatives include "were discovered to possess", "were identified as having", or "were determined to exhibit" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were found to have"?

While "were found to have" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct and concise. Consider whether rephrasing the sentence in the active voice improves clarity.

In what contexts is "were found to have" most appropriate?

"Were found to have" is suitable for formal and scientific writing when reporting results of studies or investigations. In more informal contexts, a simpler phrasing might be preferable.