Found vs. Founded

Attribute	Found	Founded
Definition	To come upon unexpectedly or after searching	To establish or originate
Verb form	Present tense of find	Past tense and past participle of found
Usage	Commonly used as a verb to describe discovering something	Commonly used as a verb to describe establishing something
Examples	I found my keys under the couch.	He founded a successful company in 2005.

Definition

Found and founded are two words that are often confused due to their similar spellings and meanings. However, they have distinct differences in terms of usage and context. Found is the past tense and past participle of the verb "find," which means to discover or come across something unexpectedly. On the other hand, founded is the past tense and past participle of the verb "found," which means to establish or create something, typically an organization or institution.

Usage

Found is commonly used when referring to the act of discovering something that was previously lost or hidden. For example, "I found my keys under the couch." On the other hand, founded is used when talking about the establishment of a new entity or organization. For instance, "He founded a non-profit organization to help underprivileged children."

Conjugation

Found is a regular verb that follows the typical conjugation pattern in English. Its forms are find (present), found (past), and found (past participle). On the other hand, founded is an irregular verb that does not follow the standard conjugation rules. Its forms are found (present), founded (past), and founded (past participle).

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between found and founded:

• I found a dollar on the street yesterday. (found)
• She founded a successful tech startup last year. (founded)
• They found the missing dog in the park. (found)
• The company was founded in 1995 by a group of entrepreneurs. (founded)

Meaning

Found is often used in the context of discovering something physical or tangible, such as objects or items. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate the realization or understanding of something. On the other hand, founded is used when talking about the creation or establishment of something intangible, such as organizations, institutions, or movements.

Etymology

The word "found" has its origins in Middle English, derived from the Old French word "fonder," meaning to find or discover. It is related to the Latin word "fundere," which means to pour or cast. On the other hand, "founded" comes from the Middle English word "founden," which is derived from the Old French word "fonder," meaning to establish or create.

Common Mistakes

One common mistake people make is using "found" when they should be using "founded" to describe the establishment of an organization or institution. For example, saying "He found a company" instead of "He founded a company" is incorrect. Another mistake is using "founded" when referring to the act of discovering something, such as saying "She founded her lost keys" instead of "She found her lost keys."

Conclusion

In conclusion, found and founded are two words that may sound similar but have distinct meanings and uses. Found is used when talking about discovering something, while founded is used when referring to the establishment of an organization or institution. Understanding the difference between these two words can help avoid confusion and ensure clear communication in writing and speaking.