Established vs They built this place

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Established

Top 2,000 (common)

They built this place

Top 2,000 (common)
 EstablishedThey built this place
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪˈstæblɪʃt//🇺🇸 //ɪˈstæblɪʃt//🇬🇧 //ðeɪ bɪlt ðɪs pleɪs//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ bɪlt ðɪs pleɪs//
MeaningWell-known and accepted for a long timeThey made this location or building.
ExampleThe company has been an established leader in technology.They built this place from the ground up.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsestablished order, established practice, established norms, established reputationbuilt this place together, built this place quickly, built this place poorly, built this place recently, built this place with care
Antonymsunestablished, unknown, new-
Common mistakesConfused with 'establish' — remember 'established' is past tense., Using in informal settings where simpler words work better., Incorrectly used as an adjective with noun phrases that aren't well-known.Omitting the word 'this' - it changes the meaning., Confusing 'built' with 'build' - past tense versus present tense errors.
Usage notesUsed to describe organizations, laws, or customs that are recognized and accepted by society. Not ideal for informal contexts.Used in conversation or writing to indicate construction or establishment of a location. Appropriate in many contexts, especially casual ones.

See it in real clips

Established
They built this place

Frequently asked questions: Established vs They built this place

What's the difference between Established and They built this place?

Established: Well-known and accepted for a long time They built this place: They made this location or building.

Can you show an example of each?

Established: The company has been an established leader in technology. They built this place: They built this place from the ground up.

Can I use Established and They built this place interchangeably?

Not always. Established and They built this place are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons