comments were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "comments were made" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to statements which were made, whether those statements are accurate or not. For example, "Comments were made about the company's poor performance, although the real causes of the decline remain a mystery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sometimes comments were made on the clutter of his home.

The New Yorker

Sometimes comments were made on his manner of speaking.

The New Yorker

His comments were made before Mr. Cuomo's news conference.

The New York Times

Comments were made about the way she looked.

The Guardian - Sport

The offending comments were made on an official visit to the Romanian parliament last week.

Independent

Mr. Barroso's comments were made before the ministers had agreed on the elaborate compromise late Friday.

The New York Times

His comments were made after he was asked if any progress had been made.

The New York Times

Her comments were made in a letter to organisers of a literary festival in Rangoon.

Independent

In fact the comments were made by an anonymous commission official, and not by Mr Lamy.

The Economist

"Comments were made at one time, I think, when he was eight," Maria recalled.

The New Yorker

The commission said the comments were made up by Spokeo's own employees.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "comments were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the comments and to whom they were directed for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "comments were made" without specifying who made the comments, as this can lead to ambiguity and weaken the impact of your writing. Always strive for clarity by identifying the speaker or source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "comments were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that statements or remarks were expressed. It serves to report that commentary occurred, without necessarily emphasizing who made the comments. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

32%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "comments were made" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for indicating that statements or remarks were expressed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. To enhance clarity, specify the source of the comments whenever possible. When choosing alternative phrasing, consider the desired level of formality and the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "comments were made" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remarks were made

Replaces "comments" with "remarks", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Statements were made

Substitutes "comments" with "statements", suggesting a more formal or official declaration.

Observations were noted

Replaces "comments were made" with a phrase indicating that observations were recorded or acknowledged.

Utterances were expressed

Uses "utterances" and "expressed", implying a more formal and sometimes emphatic delivery of the comments.

Thoughts were shared

Replaces "comments" with "thoughts", suggesting a sharing of opinions or ideas.

Points were raised

Indicates that specific points or issues were brought up in a discussion.

Views were aired

Implies that opinions or viewpoints were publicly expressed.

Inputs were provided

Replaces "comments" with "inputs", suggesting that feedback or contributions were given.

Feedback was offered

Emphasizes that suggestions or reactions were given, often implying a constructive intent.

Words were spoken

A simple and direct alternative, focusing on the act of speaking rather than the content of the comments.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "comments were made" to sound more formal?

To achieve a more formal tone, you could use alternatives such as "remarks were made" or "statements were made", which imply a higher level of formality and seriousness.

What's a less formal way to say "comments were made"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "thoughts were shared" or "points were raised", which suggest a more casual exchange of ideas.

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

While "comments were made" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The team members commented") often provides greater clarity and directness. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the source of the comments.

How does the context affect the choice of using "comments were made"?

The context significantly influences the best alternative. In formal reports, "statements were made" may be appropriate. In casual discussions, "thoughts were shared" may be more fitting. Always consider the audience and purpose of your communication.