founded on
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to use a specific idea, fact, or belief as the main support for something else. You use this when one thing is the base that another thing is built upon.
phrasal verb. to base a principle, system, or argument on a specific underlying concept or set of facts. The verb is transitive and typically appears in the passive voice.
Their relationship is founded on trust.
The new company was founded on the idea that high-quality software should be free for everyone.
The nation's legal system is founded on the principle that every citizen is entitled to a fair and impartial trial regardless of their social standing.
- based on
- built on
- grounded in
- rooted in
- unsupported by
- Particles
- on
- Separability
- inseparable
- Pattern
- found + object + on + object
most commonly used in the passive voice ('be founded on') to describe abstract concepts like theories, laws, or relationships.
contrast with 'based on'; while 'based on' is more common for general evidence, 'founded on' implies a stronger, more permanent structural or moral base.
The theory was found on solid evidence.The theory was founded on solid evidence.learners often confuse the past participle of 'found' (to establish) with 'found' (the past tense of 'find').
Last updated July 26, 2026