Were conducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Were conducted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that actions or events took place, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The experiments were conducted over a period of six months to gather comprehensive data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Services were conducted privately.

The New York Times

Tests were conducted.

The New York Times

Interviews were conducted.

The New York Times - Sports

Radiation sweeps were conducted.

The New York Times

The tests were conducted Saturday.

The New York Times

Rectal exams were conducted with "excessive force".

The Guardian

The negotiations were conducted from afar.

The New York Times

Burial services were conducted February 2 , 2005

The New York Times

All interviews were conducted face-to-face.

The Guardian

That summer eight rail transports were conducted.

The Guardian

These preparations were conducted in secrecy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were conducted", ensure the subject performing the action is clear, either explicitly or implicitly, to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Tests were conducted", specify "Researchers were conducted tests" or "Tests were conducted by researchers".

Common error

A common mistake is using "were conducted" without a clear understanding of the passive voice, leading to vague or unclear sentences. Ensure that the action's agent, even if not explicitly stated, is inferable from the context. Avoid using it when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were conducted" serves as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action was performed. It is commonly used to describe experiments, tests, interviews, and other processes, shifting the focus from the actor to the action itself. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were conducted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase in English, primarily functioning to describe the execution of activities, experiments, or processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears predominantly in science, news, and formal business contexts, reflecting a formal to neutral register. While the phrase is correct and versatile, careful usage is recommended to maintain clarity and precision, particularly by ensuring that the actor is clear. Alternatives such as "were carried out" or "were performed" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Understanding its role in passive voice constructions is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Were carried out

Replaces "conducted" with "carried out", offering a slightly less formal alternative with the same core meaning.

Were performed

Substitutes "conducted" with "performed", emphasizing the execution of a task, often with a sense of skill or precision.

Were executed

Replaces "conducted" with "executed", highlighting the completion of a plan or task, sometimes implying a more formal or structured approach.

Were undertaken

Substitutes "conducted" with "undertaken", suggesting a formal or serious commitment to a task or activity.

Were implemented

Replaces "conducted" with "implemented", emphasizing the action of putting a plan or system into effect.

Were administered

Substitutes "conducted" with "administered", often used in the context of tests, surveys, or treatments.

Were completed

Replaces "conducted" with "completed", focusing on the finished state of an activity or project.

Were pursued

Substitutes "conducted" with "pursued", indicating that something was actively sought or strived for.

Were realized

Replaces "conducted" with "realized", suggesting that something was brought into being or made actual.

Were fulfilled

Substitutes "conducted" with "fulfilled", emphasizing the completion of a requirement, promise, or expectation.

FAQs

How can I use "were conducted" in a sentence?

Use "were conducted" to indicate that certain actions or activities took place. For example, "The experiments "were conducted" to test the hypothesis" or "Interviews "were conducted" to gather data".

What can I say instead of "were conducted"?

You can use alternatives like "were carried out", "were performed", or "were executed" depending on the context. Each alternative offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "were conducted"?

While "were conducted" is grammatically correct, consider whether the active voice might be clearer. For example, instead of "Tests "were conducted" by the team", you could say "The team conducted tests". The active voice is often more direct and easier to understand.

What's the difference between "were conducted" and "were completed"?

"Were conducted" implies that certain actions took place, while "were completed" emphasizes that something has been finished. "Experiments "were conducted"" focuses on the process, whereas "Experiments were completed" emphasizes the outcome.