discussions were conducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discussions were conducted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in formal contexts to indicate that conversations or meetings took place regarding a specific topic. Example: "After several weeks of planning, discussions were conducted to finalize the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Discussions were conducted with two groups each of students and of housewives.

Trends in Food Science & Technology

A pre- and post-survey, as well as focus group discussions were conducted for this purpose.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

We forget how such discussions were conducted on previous occasions, and try to reinvent the wheel each time.

The Guardian

These discussions were conducted without Jana Bennett's knowledge and she was not informed of any such understanding at any point".

The Guardian

Two focus groups discussions were conducted.

Pastoralism

Interviews and discussions were conducted within health facility premises or an open space nearby.

Health Economics Review

For both the household surveys and focus groups, discussions were conducted in Kiswahili.

Pastoralism

In-person discussions were conducted and respondents were provided with appropriate instructions.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

Reuters was unable to determine how those discussions were conducted or exactly when they took place.

Huffington Post

In-depth-interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with participants discontinued from 2% gel.

Plosone

Discussions were conducted with all but two novice researchers who could did not reply.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discussions were conducted", ensure the context clearly indicates who participated in the discussions and the general topic or purpose. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice, as in "discussions were conducted", can make writing sound less direct. Consider using the active voice to specify who conducted the discussions: "The team conducted discussions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discussions were conducted" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that conversations or meetings took place. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound expression, commonly used to report on deliberative processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "discussions were conducted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that conversations or meetings have taken place. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable. It's most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While the passive voice construction is acceptable, it's often preferable to use the active voice for more direct communication. Alternatives include "conversations took place" and "meetings were held", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who conducted the discussions and their purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversations took place

Replaces "conducted" with a more general verb, focusing on the occurrence of conversations.

meetings were held

Substitutes "discussions" with "meetings", implying a more structured and formal setting.

dialogues ensued

Emphasizes the interactive nature of the exchange, suggesting a back-and-forth conversation.

consultations occurred

Highlights the advisory or expert nature of the discussions, implying a focus on seeking guidance or opinions.

talks were carried out

Uses "talks" as a less formal alternative to "discussions", suitable for a broader range of contexts.

deliberations were undertaken

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration of the issues at hand.

interviews were performed

Highlights a question/answer type of discussion, more specific than a general discussion.

negotiations transpired

Suggests a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement or compromise.

sessions were convened

Implies a formal gathering for the purpose of discussion or deliberation.

conferences were arranged

Suggests a larger, more organized event focused on discussion and information sharing.

FAQs

What does "discussions were conducted" mean?

The phrase "discussions were conducted" means that conversations or meetings took place, usually in a formal or structured setting, to talk about a specific topic or issue.

What can I say instead of "discussions were conducted"?

You can use alternatives like "conversations took place", "meetings were held", or "talks were carried out" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing discussions?

While "discussions were conducted" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The team conducted discussions") can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

In what contexts is "discussions were conducted" most appropriate?

The phrase is suitable for formal reports, academic papers, and professional communications where a neutral and objective tone is desired. More informal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "we talked about".