Established vs We built the world for ourselves

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

Established

Top 2,000 (common)

We built the world for ourselves

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Established
 EstablishedWe built the world for ourselves
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪˈstæblɪʃt//🇺🇸 //ɪˈstæblɪʃt//🇬🇧 //wiː bɪlt ðə wɜːrld fɔːr aʊərˈsɛlvz//🇺🇸 //wi bɪlt ðə wɜrld fɔr aʊrˈsɛlvz//
MeaningWell-known and accepted for a long timeWe created a place to live and thrive for our own benefit.
ExampleThe company has been an established leader in technology.In the city, we built the world for ourselves, a place of acceptance and creativity.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocationsestablished order, established practice, established norms, established reputationbuilt on dreams, built with love, built for the future
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.Using 'build' instead of 'built' as the past tense., Confusing 'world' with 'worlds' when referring to multiple environments., Omitting 'for ourselves' might change the meaning.
Usage notesUsed to describe organizations, laws, or customs that are recognized and accepted by society. Not ideal for informal contexts.This phrase conveys a sense of ownership and self-sufficiency. It’s appropriate in discussions about personal achievements or community building.

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Established
We built the world for ourselves

Frequently asked questions: Established vs We built the world for ourselves

What's the difference between Established and We built the world for ourselves?

Established: Well-known and accepted for a long time We built the world for ourselves: We created a place to live and thrive for our own benefit.

Which is more common: Established and We built the world for ourselves?

Established is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Established: The company has been an established leader in technology. We built the world for ourselves: In the city, we built the world for ourselves, a place of acceptance and creativity.

Can I use Established and We built the world for ourselves interchangeably?

Not always. Established and We built the world for ourselves 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.

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