# It Was Found: How to Use This Phrase Correctly
You keep seeing "it was found" in articles, research papers, and everyday writing. You're not sure if you're using it right. This guide fixes that.
## What Does "It Was Found" Actually Mean?
"It was found" is a passive voice construction. It means someone discovered something, but the focus is on the discovery itself rather than who made it.
The structure is simple: **subject + was/were + past participle of the main verb**
Examples:
- "The error was found in the code."
- "A solution was found after months of work."
- "The documents were found in the archive."
The thing being discussed (the error, the solution, the documents) comes first. The person who found it stays hidden. That's the whole point of passive voice.
## When to Use "It Was Found"
Use this phrase when:
- You want to emphasize the result, not the person who discovered it
- The discoverer is unknown or irrelevant
- You're writing formally (research, reports, journalism)
- The focus should be on the thing discovered
Examples:
- "A new species was found in the rainforest."
- "The bug was found during routine testing."
- "It was found that most users prefer the new interface."
The last example shows a common pattern: "It was found that..." followed by a statement of what was discovered.
## When NOT to Use "It Was Found"
Don't use it when:
- The active voice is clearer and more direct
- You need to attribute the discovery to specific people
- You're writing casually and want a natural tone
Compare these:
**Passive (less natural):** "The problem was found by the team."
**Active (more natural):** "The team found the problem."
**Passive (okay for formal writing):** "It was found that exercise improves sleep."
**Active (better for casual writing):** "Researchers found that exercise improves sleep."
Active voice is usually better for blog posts, emails, and casual communication. Passive voice has its place, but don't default to it.
## Common Mistakes with "It Was Found"
### 1. Mixing Active and Passive in the Same Sentence
**Wrong:** "The researchers found the study was completed."
**Better:** "The researchers found that the study was completed." or "The study was found to be complete."
### 2. Using Wrong Tense
"It was found" is simple past. Don't use it for ongoing discoveries.
**Wrong:** "It was found that the company is losing money." (if the discovery is recent/current)
**Better:** "It has been found that the company is losing money." or "We found that the company is losing money."
### 3. Overusing It
New writers often lean too hard on passive voice because it sounds formal. It doesn't. It sounds stiff when overused.
## Alternatives to "It Was Found"
Sometimes you need variety. Here are direct replacements:
| Instead of... | Use... |
|---------------|--------|
| "It was found that... | "We discovered that..." |
| "was found to be..." | "turned out to be..." |
| "was found in..." | "appeared in..." |
| "were found to..." | "tended to..." |
Examples in context:
- "The bug **turned out to be** a simple typo." (instead of "was found to be")
- "We **discovered that** the approach didn't work." (instead of "It was found that")
- "The files **appeared in** the wrong folder." (instead of "were found in")
## How to Use "It Was Found" Correctly: A Quick Guide
Here's how to apply this in your writing:
**Step 1: Decide if passive voice serves your purpose.**
Ask yourself: "Does the reader need to know WHO found this?" If yes, use active voice. If no, passive works.
**Step 2: Check your subject.**
"It was found" needs a clear subject—what was found? If you can't identify it, rephrase.
**Step 3: Match the tense.**
- Single discovery in the past → "was found"
- Multiple discoveries → "were found"
- Ongoing pattern → "has been found" or "have been found"
**Step 4: Read it aloud.**
If it sounds awkward, switch to active voice.
## Quick Examples in Real Sentences
**Research writing:**
"It was found that customers abandon carts when checkout takes more than three clicks."
**Casual writing:**
"We found out customers leave when checkout is slow."
**Formal reporting:**
"The discrepancy was found during the quarterly audit."
**News article:**
"Ancient artifacts were found during construction on Main Street."
## The Bottom Line
"It was found" is a valid phrase when used correctly. It belongs in formal writing, research summaries, and situations where the discovery matters more than the discoverer.
For everything else—emails, blog posts, casual communication—active voice usually wins. Say who found it. Make it direct.
That's it. Use the phrase when it fits. Don't force it when it doesn't.