appointments were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appointments were made" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the scheduling or arrangement of meetings or events. Example: "After reviewing everyone's availability, appointments were made for the upcoming consultations next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Appointments were made and unmade.

The New Yorker

The appointments were made by the governor-general.

Britannica

Their appointments were made against a background of gender imbalance.

The Guardian

The appointments were made by UK Financial Investments (UKFI), which looks after the stakes.

The Guardian - Business

"Those appointments were made based on a faulty law," the prime minister, Beata Szydło, said.

The Guardian

Indeed, under the previous government all judicial appointments were made by the president himself.

The New York Times

The appointments were made by President Obama, and have been confirmed by the Senate.

The New York Times

Since the Spanish Inquisition was constituted as a royal court, all appointments were made by the crown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The appointments were made by Provost Joel Moses PhD '67 with advice from a committee chaired by Dean for Undergraduate Education Rosalind H. Williams.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In year three, 15 new faculty appointments were made in collaboration with this initiative, bringing our three-year total to 65 recruitments campus-wide.

Yale University

In 1884, a number of appointments were made at various ranks, and something like the structure of a modern department emerged.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appointments were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the appointments and for what purpose. Providing this information enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "appointments were made" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "appointments were made by the manager", consider "the manager made the appointments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appointments were made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the action of making appointments has been completed. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used in various contexts to report on scheduled meetings or arrangements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appointments were made" is a commonly used passive construction to indicate that meetings or engagements have been scheduled. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct grammatical structure and frequent occurrence across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. To enhance clarity in writing, specify who made the appointments and for what reason, and consider using active voice alternatives when appropriate. The related phrases such as "designations were made" and "nominations were made" offer semantically similar options for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

designations were made

This alternative focuses on the act of formally assigning a role or title.

nominations were made

This suggests the selection of candidates for a position or award.

arrangements were scheduled

This phrase emphasizes the planning and timing aspect of the appointments.

meetings were scheduled

This alternative specifically refers to the scheduling of meetings.

interviews were arranged

This highlights the organization of interview sessions.

engagements were booked

This focuses on the act of reserving time for engagements or commitments.

schedules were created

This emphasizes the process of constructing a timetable of appointments.

slots were allocated

This alternative implies the distribution of specific time slots.

bookings were confirmed

This suggests that appointments initially requested have now been officially secured.

reservations were secured

This focuses on firmly establishing a reservation for a particular time or service.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "appointments were made" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "the committee scheduled the appointments", or "the doctor booked the follow-up visits". These alternatives provide a more direct and active voice.

What's the difference between "appointments were made" and "appointments are made"?

"Appointments were made" indicates a past action, while "appointments are made" describes a current or habitual practice.

Is it always necessary to specify who made the appointments when using "appointments were made"?

While not always required, specifying who made the appointments enhances clarity and provides context, especially in formal writing.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "appointments were made"?

The phrase "appointments were made" is suitable for formal contexts such as reports, official announcements, or medical documentation where a neutral and objective tone is preferred.