Found vs Finded: Decoding Common Word Mix-Ups

Have you ever found yourself wondering if “finded” is a proper word? Well, you’re not alone. Many people use “finded” as the past tense of “find,” but is it correct? The short answer is no. The proper past tense of “find” is “found.”

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “found” is defined as “to come upon or discover unexpectedly” or “to ascertain the true character or identity of.” On the other hand, “finded” is not recognized as a proper word in the English language.

Now that we’ve established the proper usage of “found,” let’s dive deeper into the reasons why “finded” is not a valid word.

Define Found

Found is the past tense and past participle form of the verb ‘find’. It means to discover or come across something that was previously lost, hidden, or unknown. It can also refer to the establishment or creation of something, such as a company or organization.

For example:

• I found my lost keys under the couch cushion.
• The city was founded in the 18th century.

Define Finded

Finded is not a recognized word in the English language. It is an incorrect form of the past tense and past participle of ‘find’. The correct form is ‘found’.

Using ‘finded’ instead of ‘found’ is a common mistake, particularly among non-native English speakers or those who are not familiar with the irregular conjugation of the verb ‘find’.

For example:

• Incorrect: I finded my phone in the car.
• Correct: I found my phone in the car.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “found” and “finded” in a sentence, it’s important to understand the proper context and usage for each word. Here’s a breakdown of how to use each word correctly:

How To Use “Found” In A Sentence

The word “found” is the past tense of the verb “find.” It is used to describe the act of discovering or coming across something that was previously lost or unknown. Here are a few examples of how to use “found” in a sentence:

• I found my keys in the couch cushions.
• The hikers found a hidden waterfall on their trek.
• She found the missing puzzle piece under the table.

As you can see, “found” is used to describe discovering something that was previously lost or hidden. It is a past tense verb that should be used in the appropriate context.

How To Use “Finded” In A Sentence

The word “finded” is not a proper word in the English language. The correct past tense of “find” is “found.” While “finded” may be used colloquially or in certain dialects, it is not considered proper English and should be avoided in formal writing or speech. It’s important to use proper grammar and vocabulary in order to communicate effectively and professionally.

Overall, understanding the proper usage of “found” and avoiding the use of “finded” will help you communicate more effectively in written and spoken English.

More Examples Of Found & Finded Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of using “found” and “finded” in sentences. These examples will help you understand the correct usage of these words in different contexts.

Examples Of Using “Found” In A Sentence

• I found my keys under the couch.
• The police found the stolen car in a parking lot.
• She found a new job after being unemployed for six months.
• He found a rare coin while metal detecting in the park.
• They found a solution to the difficult math problem.
• The archaeologist found ancient artifacts during the excavation.
• She found a stray kitten and decided to adopt it.
• The hiker found a beautiful waterfall on the trail.
• He found his lost wallet in the back pocket of his pants.
• The scientist found evidence to support her hypothesis.

Examples Of Using “Finded” In A Sentence

• Incorrect: He finded a new restaurant to try.
• Incorrect: She finded a rare book at the library.
• Incorrect: They finded a shortcut to the beach.
• Incorrect: The teacher finded the missing homework.
• Incorrect: He finded a loophole in the contract.
• Incorrect: She finded a way to fix the broken vase.
• Incorrect: They finded the missing puzzle piece.
• Incorrect: The chef finded a new recipe to try.
• Incorrect: He finded a new hobby to pursue.
• Incorrect: She finded a solution to the problem.

It is important to note that “finded” is not a correct form of the past tense of “find”. The correct form is “found”.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words found and finded, many people tend to use them interchangeably without realizing that they have different meanings. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Finded” Instead Of “Found”

The word “finded” is not a correct form of the verb “find.” Instead, the correct past tense and past participle of “find” is “found.” Therefore, it is incorrect to say things like “I finded my keys” or “She has finded the solution to the problem.”

Using “Found” Incorrectly

While “found” is the correct past tense and past participle of “find,” it is important to use it in the right context. For example, it is incorrect to say things like “I founded my keys” or “She has founded the solution to the problem.” In these cases, the correct word to use would be “found.”

Not Understanding The Difference Between “Found” And “Founded”

Another common mistake is not understanding the difference between “found” and “founded.” “Found” is the past tense and past participle of “find,” while “founded” is the past tense and past participle of “found,” which means to establish or create something. For example, “She founded a new company” is correct, while “She found a new company” is incorrect.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Always double-check your grammar and spelling when using these words.
• Read and re-read your sentences to ensure that you are using the correct word in the correct context.
• Use a dictionary or thesaurus to look up the correct usage of these words if you are unsure.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can improve your writing and communication skills, and ensure that you are using the English language correctly.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between “found” and “finded,” context is key. The correct usage of these two words depends on the context in which they are used. Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “found” and “finded” might change:

1. Tense

The tense of the sentence can determine whether “found” or “finded” is the correct choice. “Found” is the past tense of “find,” while “finded” is not a word in standard English. Therefore, “found” should be used in past tense sentences, such as:

• I found my keys in the kitchen.
• He found a rare coin in his backyard.

On the other hand, “find” should be used in present tense sentences, such as:

• I always find it hard to wake up early.
• She usually finds what she’s looking for at the store.

2. Formality

The level of formality in the context can also affect the choice between “found” and “finded.” “Found” is the more formal and standard word, while “finded” is considered non-standard or colloquial. Therefore, “found” should be used in formal writing or speech, such as:

• The researchers found a correlation between the two variables.
• The police found evidence linking the suspect to the crime.

Conversely, “finded” may be used in informal or casual contexts, such as:

• I just finded out that my favorite band is coming to town!
• She finded a new recipe online and wants to try it out.

3. Regional Variations

The choice between “found” and “finded” may also vary based on regional dialects or language variations. For example, in some dialects of English, “finded” may be considered a valid past tense form of “find.” However, in standard English, “found” is the only correct past tense form. Therefore, it is important to consider the regional context when deciding between “found” and “finded.”

In conclusion, the choice between “found” and “finded” is not always straightforward. It depends on various factors such as tense, formality, and regional variations. By understanding the context in which these words are used, you can ensure that your writing or speech is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the general rule for using found and finded is straightforward, there are some exceptions where the rules may not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the regular pattern of adding -ed to the base form to form the past tense. Examples of irregular verbs include:

Base Form	Past Tense
go	went
eat	ate
see	saw

In these cases, the past tense form of the verb is not finded, but rather an irregular form specific to that verb. For example, the past tense of find is found, while the past tense of see is saw.

2. Regional Differences

There may be regional differences in how found and finded are used. For example, in some dialects of English, finded may be used instead of found as the past tense of find. However, this usage is not considered standard in most varieties of English.

3. Figurative Language

Figurative language such as idioms and metaphors may also use found and finded in non-standard ways. For example, the idiom “to find one’s way” means to figure out how to get somewhere, but the past tense form is found, not finded. Similarly, the metaphorical phrase “to find oneself” means to discover one’s true identity or purpose, and again, the past tense form is found.

It’s important to note that while these exceptions may exist, the standard rules for using found and finded should be followed in most cases for clear and effective communication.

Practice Exercises

As with any language skill, practice is key to improving your understanding and use of found and finded. Here are some exercises to help you strengthen your grasp on these two words:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose either “found” or “finded” to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

Sentence	Answer
Yesterday, I ________ a dollar on the street.	found
She has ________ a new job.	found
He ________ his keys in the couch cushions.	found
They have ________ a solution to the problem.	found
I have ________ a mistake in your report.	found
The archaeologists have ________ ancient artifacts in the cave.	found
She ________ the perfect dress for the wedding.	finded
He has ________ a new hobby.	finded
They ________ the missing puzzle piece under the couch.	finded
I have ________ the recipe for the best chocolate chip cookies.	finded

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences, replacing “found” or “finded” with the opposite word:

1. I found a four-leaf clover in the park.
2. She has found a new apartment to rent.
3. He has finded a way to save money on groceries.
4. They found a stray dog on their walk.
5. I finded my lost phone in the car.

Answers:

1. I finded a three-leaf clover in the park.
2. She has finded a new apartment to rent.
3. He has found a way to save money on groceries.
4. They founded a stray dog on their walk.
5. I found my lost phone in the car.

By practicing with exercises like these, you can improve your understanding and use of found and finded in your writing and speech.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the use of “found” versus “finded” is a common grammatical mistake that many people make. While “finded” may seem like a logical past tense form of “find,” it is actually incorrect and not recognized by standard English grammar rules.

It is important to remember that using correct grammar and language is crucial in effectively communicating with others. By paying attention to the correct usage of words like “found” and “finded,” we can avoid confusion and misinterpretation in our written and spoken communication.

Key Takeaways

• “Found” is the correct past tense form of “find.”
• “Finded” is not recognized by standard English grammar rules.
• Using correct grammar and language is important in effective communication.

Remember, language and grammar are constantly evolving, and it is important to continue learning and improving our skills in order to communicate effectively with others.