were founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were founded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the establishment or creation of an organization, institution, or entity in the past. Example: "The university was founded in 1890 and has since become a leading institution in research and education."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You were founded by pirates.

The Guardian - Business

The earliest were founded in the 1990s.

The Economist

Hundreds were founded last year alone.

The New York Times

The Ruf/Neks were founded on rowdiness.

The New York Times - Sports

That's the principle we were founded on.

The New York Times

The Cosmos were founded 40 years ago in 1971.

The Guardian - Sport

Isn't that what their institutions were founded to do?

The Guardian

For Nauru's fortunes were founded quite literally on crap.

The Guardian

Italy unified in 1870, six months after we were founded.

The New Yorker

The Horologists, we learn, were founded in the fifteen-nineties.

The New Yorker

His band, Devo, were founded in the days immediately afterwards.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were founded", ensure the subject clearly identifies the entity being established, like an organization, institution, or city.

Common error

Avoid using "were founded" with singular subjects. The correct form for a singular subject is "was founded". For example, use "The company was founded" instead of "The company were founded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were founded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (e.g., an organization, city) was established or created by someone or something else. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating this passive construction in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

22%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were founded" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe the establishment or creation of an organization, institution, or other entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans diverse fields like news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While "were founded" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, it's crucial to ensure subject-verb agreement and use it with plural subjects. Alternatives like "were established" or "were created" can be used depending on the desired nuance and context. This comprehensive analysis provides a clear understanding of the phrase's proper usage and potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were established

Replaces "founded" with a synonym, maintaining a similar meaning of setting up or creating.

were created

Uses "created" instead of "founded", focusing on the act of bringing something into existence.

were formed

Focuses on the coming together or organization of elements to create a whole.

were instituted

Emphasizes the formal establishment of something, often a rule, system, or organization.

were initiated

Implies a formal or deliberate beginning of a process or organization.

were started

A more informal alternative, suggesting the beginning or initiation of something.

were originated

Highlights the point of origin or the initial development of something.

were built

Implies a gradual process of construction or development over time.

came into existence

A more descriptive phrase indicating the beginning of being or existence.

had their origins

Shifts the focus to the source or beginning of something's development.

FAQs

How do I use "were founded" in a sentence?

Use "were founded" to describe the establishment of a group, organization, or institution. For example, "The United Nations "were founded" in 1945." Ensure that the subject is plural to match the verb.

What is a more formal alternative to "were founded"?

A more formal alternative is "were established". It carries a similar meaning but may be more suitable in academic or professional contexts.

Is "were founded" grammatically correct?

Yes, "were founded" is grammatically correct when used with a plural subject. It's the passive past tense form of "found", meaning to establish or create.

What's the difference between "were founded" and "were created"?

While both phrases indicate something coming into existence, ""were founded"" implies a more formal establishment, often of an organization or institution. "were created" is a more general term and can apply to anything that has been brought into being.