consultation was held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consultation was held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a meeting or discussion took place to seek advice or opinions on a particular matter. Example: "After the consultation was held, the committee decided to implement the proposed changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A workshop designed to teach seniors to communicate more effectively with their physicians and enhance patient participation in the consultation was held in a community centre.

Patient Education and Counseling

No public consultation was held on either the dropping of SSSIs from the list of protected areas from where fracking would be excluded, or how deep the groundwater limits should be set.

The Guardian

A public consultation was held at the stadium on Thursday for people to view the plans.

BBC

A public consultation was held on a proposal to give Gloriana a permanent home at Twickenham's former Orleans House boatyard on the river Thames.

BBC

Consultation was held over the move to make Storrington an Air Quality Management Area, after it was found that nitrogen dioxide levels exceeded national air quality standards in parts of the village.

BBC

Scott Street bridge had gradually deteriorated, and a public consultation was held in 1986, to determine its future.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The health board says it will listen to people's concerns during planned consultation being held over the summer before any decisions are taken.

BBC

The group is expected to submit additional information requested by Perth and Kinross Council this week, before a second public consultation is held.

BBC

The consultations are held in different countries each year.

Britannica

In preparation for the referendum, draft legislation was prepared and a series of public consultations were held.

Britannica

But public consultations were held exclusively in the regions, and the citizens of Toronto and Montreal were not consulted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on a consultation, specify who was consulted (e.g., "Experts", "The public") and the scope or topic of the consultation to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice excessively. While "consultation was held" is grammatically sound, consider restructuring the sentence to highlight the actors involved. For example, instead of "A consultation was held", try "The committee held a consultation" to make the sentence more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consultation was held" typically functions as a statement indicating that a formal meeting or discussion occurred for the purpose of seeking advice, gathering information, or exchanging opinions. As Ludwig points out, this phrase is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consultation was held" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that a formal meeting or discussion took place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including academic, news, and formal business settings. While effective, writers should be mindful of using the active voice when possible to create a more engaging narrative. Remember to specify who was consulted and the subject of consultation to provide clear and contextual information to your audience. This phrase finds its primary use in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stakeholders were consulted

Highlights the involvement of key stakeholders in the consultative process.

a meeting took place

Focuses on the event of a meeting occurring, rather than the specific purpose of consultation.

a discussion ensued

Emphasizes the interactive nature of the event, highlighting the exchange of ideas.

a forum was convened

Suggests a more formal and structured gathering for discussion and consultation.

dialogue was initiated

Highlights the beginning of a communicative exchange, implying an ongoing process.

views were exchanged

Emphasizes the reciprocal sharing of viewpoints among participants.

opinions were solicited

Shifts the focus to the act of seeking and gathering opinions from various parties.

input was gathered

Emphasizes the collection of information and feedback from participants.

advice was sought

Focuses on the act of seeking professional advice or guidance during the consultation.

an audience was engaged

Implies a more passive role for attendees, focusing on their involvement and attention.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "consultation was held" to sound more active?

You can use more active alternatives such as "the committee held a consultation" or "stakeholders conducted a consultation" to emphasize who initiated the process.

What is the difference between "consultation was held" and "consultation took place"?

Both phrases are similar, but "consultation took place" might suggest a more informal or less structured event compared to "consultation was held", which can imply a more formal or organized process.

Is it appropriate to use "consultation was held" in academic writing?

Yes, "consultation was held" is perfectly acceptable in academic writing to describe a process of seeking expert opinions or gathering feedback as Ludwig confirms.

What other phrases can I use instead of "consultation was held" to describe a similar event?

Consider using phrases like "a meeting occurred", "a discussion ensued", or "opinions were solicited depending on the specific context.