a settlement was made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a settlement was made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts involving legal agreements, disputes, or negotiations where an agreement has been reached. Example: "After months of negotiations, a settlement was made between the two parties to resolve the dispute amicably."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A settlement was made in the form of a family ordinance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gold was mined in Kambalda from 1896 to 1906, and a settlement was made there in 1897.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A settlement was made in 1907 near a mission established (1824) by the Oblate Fathers of the Franciscan order.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1849 a settlement was made at Mormon Station (later Genoa) in Carson Valley, but the population remained sparse until the discovery of the famous Comstock Lode in 1859.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many oil experts say that a settlement was made more likely by recent court rulings that limited the liability of Transocean, the operator of the rig that exploded, and Halliburton, the company that cemented the deepwater well that blew out and caused the spill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A Spanish settlement was made on the bay coast in 1559 but was abandoned two years later.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A second settlement was made at nearby Dover Neck, or Point, in 1633.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Fortunately for Eli Lilly, the 1994 trial was concurrent with the O. J. Simpson trial, the facts were carefully manipulated, a secret settlement was made between plaintiffs and the drug company even as the trial continued, and Prozac avoided a warning label about possibly violent or suicidal behavior.

The New York Times - Books

After a financial settlement was made with the Tennessee band, four other bands all filed lawsuits over Shenandoah's name.

Wikipedia

Cain initially called the story false and claimed he had no knowledge of any settlement being made with his accusers.

Huffington Post

"The members of the PAC are entitled to criticise the result, but the decision to make the settlement was made in an entirely proper and transparent way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal or formal situations, use "a settlement was made" to clearly indicate that an official agreement has been reached. This phrasing adds a sense of finality and resolution to the situation.

Common error

While "a settlement was made" is grammatically correct, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction (e.g. "The parties reached a settlement") for a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a settlement was made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an agreement or resolution has been reached, often in legal or formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a settlement was made" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that an agreement or resolution has been reached, particularly in legal or formal contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted. While predominantly found in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, its register ranges from neutral to professional. When employing this phrase, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for a more dynamic writing style. Remember that while interchangeable with phrases such as "an agreement was reached", it emphasizes formal action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compromise was reached

Emphasizes mutual concessions leading to an agreement.

an agreement was concluded

Highlights the completion of negotiations and formalization of the accord.

a resolution was achieved

Focuses on the successful solving of a problem or dispute.

terms were agreed upon

Highlights the mutual acceptance of specific conditions.

a deal was finalized

Indicates the completion of a business arrangement or negotiation.

the matter was settled

Suggests a conclusive resolution to an issue or conflict.

an understanding was reached

Emphasizes a mutual comprehension and accord between parties.

the dispute was resolved

Focuses specifically on the resolution of a conflict or disagreement.

a consensus was built

Indicates a collective agreement or shared viewpoint was developed.

the parties concurred

Highlights the mutual agreement or acceptance by all involved parties.

FAQs

How can I use "a settlement was made" in a sentence?

You can use "a settlement was made" to indicate that an agreement or resolution has been reached, especially in legal or formal contexts. For example: "After lengthy negotiations, "a settlement was made" between the company and its former employee".

What's the difference between "a settlement was made" and "a settlement was reached"?

Both phrases are similar, but "a settlement was made" implies a more formal action or implementation of the agreement, whereas "a settlement was reached" simply indicates that an agreement has been achieved.

What can I say instead of "a settlement was made"?

You can use alternatives like "an agreement was reached", "a resolution was achieved", or "terms were agreed upon" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a settlement was made" in formal writing?

While generally suitable for formal writing, consider the specific context. Sometimes, using a more active construction, like "the parties settled", might be more concise and impactful, but using "a settlement was made" is perfectly acceptable.