when it was founded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when it was founded" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are talking about something that has been established in the past (i.e. a company, organization, event, etc.). For example: The United Nations was founded in 1945, when it was founded it had a total of 50 member states.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some see the festival transformed from its original role when it was founded in 1976.

BBC

As you can imagine, nature protection was not part of its original focus when it was founded back in 1961.

Huffington Post

The company traces its roots to 1978 when it was founded as a feather product plant.

Forbes

The confectioner traces its roots back to 1824 when it was founded by Quakers.

The Economist

C&C can trace its roots back 79 years when it was founded by William Magner.

The Guardian - Business

But its structure is the same as when it was founded, in 1947.

The Economist

In 1997, when it was founded, the budget was $74,000; this year, its fourth, the figure is $250,000.

The New York Times

Dehillerin has been selling its copper pots and pans since 1820, when it was founded during Paris's culinary revolution.

The New York Times - Style

The Coptic Church traces its origins back to the 1st Century when it was founded by the apostle St Mark.

BBC

"This is as relevant today as when it was founded".

Independent

Szegedi joined the Party when it was founded, in 2003.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "when it was founded", ensure the context clearly indicates what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inconsistently. If describing events surrounding "when it was founded", maintain a consistent past tense throughout the paragraph.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when it was founded" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb or clause by providing information about when an action occurred. This is supported by Ludwig examples, indicating the time frame in which an entity originated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when it was founded" functions as an adverbial clause of time, providing context about the origin of an entity. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and common across a wide range of sources, including News & Media, Academia and Wiki sources. To enhance clarity, ensure the referent is clear. While versatile, consider synonyms like "at its inception" for a more formal tone. When describing its foundation and historical context, it’s crucial to maintain tense consistency. Some authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian demonstrate frequent usage. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, writers can effectively use "when it was founded" to provide informative context in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the time it was established

Rephrases the query with a slightly different word choice.

the year of its founding

Specifies the particular year the entity was established.

at the time of its foundation

Uses a more formal term for 'founding'.

at its inception

Highlights the initial stage of the entity's existence.

when it came into existence

Uses a more descriptive and less formal tone.

upon its establishment

Focuses on the act of establishing rather than a specific point in time.

since its creation

Highlights continuity from the time of creation to the present.

from its origin

Emphasizes the starting point or beginning of the entity.

the date it was inaugurated

Suitable for institutions or organizations with a formal inauguration.

in its formative years

Focuses on the period shortly after the entity was founded.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when it was founded" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases such as "at its inception" or "upon its establishment" to convey a more formal tone. See also "at the time of its foundation" for another formal option.

Is it correct to say "when it was establish" instead of "when it was founded"?

No, the correct phrasing is "when it was founded" or "when it was established". "Founded" and "established" are past participles used to indicate the action of creating or setting up an organization or institution in the past.

What is the difference between "when it was founded" and "since it was founded"?

"When it was founded" refers to the specific point in time something was established. "Since it was founded" indicates a period starting from that point in time and continuing to the present. Use "since its creation" when you want to emphasize a period of time.

How do I use "when it was founded" in a sentence?

You can use it to provide context about the origins of something, for example: "The company's mission has remained the same since "the year of its founding"." or "The museum's collection was small when it was founded, but has grown substantially since then."