examinations were held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "examinations were held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that formal assessments or tests took place at a specific time or location. Example: "At the end of the semester, examinations were held to evaluate the students' understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Examinations were held on different levels, and for each a corresponding academic degree was specified.

Britannica

Formidable barriers had been placed in the way of any practical realization, not the least being that examinations were held only in England, precluding the possibility of high-caste Hindus, with their taboo on oceanic travel, competing.

The New Yorker

At Oxford University, examinations were held on Jubilee Day, in a display of indifference.The Silver Jubilee is not really about the monarchy, asserts a file from south Wiltshire: the day is about "people wanting a bit of fun".

The Economist

Sixteen EBIR examinations were held to date, with three additional planned in 2017.

Insights into Imaging

In 2003, the first certification examinations were held in Israel for physicians who had undergone postgraduate training in EM.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The clinical examinations were held in schools, which did not permit the use of X-rays.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Examinations are held three times a year-in March, June and October.

The New Yorker

Secondary education is divided into three levels—junior secondary, high school, and higher secondary (intermediate college)—with public examinations being held at the conclusion of each level of schooling.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It means that a room may be share between two courses whose examinations are held simultaneously.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The main role of the College is examination of trainees in the speciality, and to this end biannual fellowship examinations are held.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The examinations are held every November in London, with most candidates working their way through all the foundation exams before moving on to the finals.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "examinations were held" to introduce a formal assessment or testing period within a specific context such as academic, medical, or professional settings.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence. For example, do not write "examinations were held, and students are feeling anxious". Maintain consistent past tense: "examinations were held, and students felt anxious".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "examinations were held" functions as a statement indicating that formal assessments or tests took place. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used. It typically serves to introduce information about a specific testing event or period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "examinations were held" is grammatically correct and used to indicate that formal assessments or tests have taken place. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. While not extremely common, it appears across a range of contexts, including science, news media, and academia. When using the phrase, ensure consistency in tense and maintain an appropriate tone. Consider alternatives like "assessments were conducted" or "tests were administered" for slight variations in emphasis. Avoid using it in informal conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tests were administered

Replaces "examinations" with "tests" and "held" with "administered", emphasizing the act of giving a test.

assessments were conducted

Substitutes "examinations" with "assessments" and "held" with "conducted", highlighting a more comprehensive evaluation.

evaluations took place

Replaces "examinations were held" with "evaluations took place", focusing on the occurrence of an evaluation process.

assessments were carried out

Replaces "held" with "carried out", emphasizing the execution of the assessments.

tests took place

A simpler alternative replacing "examinations were held" with "tests took place".

hearings were conducted

Substitutes 'examinations' for 'hearings', changing the context to a formal inquiry or legal proceeding.

trials were conducted

Swaps 'examinations' for 'trials', shifting the context to a legal or experimental setting.

reviews were undertaken

Replaces "examinations" with "reviews", suggesting a more investigative or analytical process.

investigations were launched

Changes the context to a formal investigation, replacing 'examinations' with 'investigations'.

proceedings were initiated

Replaces examinations with proceedings, shifting the context to a more official or legal process.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "examinations were held" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use alternatives like "assessments were conducted" or "evaluations took place".

What's a simpler way to say "examinations were held"?

A simpler alternative is "tests were administered" or simply "tests took place".

Is "examinations were held" appropriate for academic writing?

Yes, "examinations were held" is suitable for academic writing. It clearly conveys that formal assessments occurred. However, ensure your writing maintains a consistent tone and style.

What is the difference between "examinations were held" and "examinations will be held"?

"Examinations were held" indicates that the examinations have already taken place, while "examinations will be held" means they are scheduled to happen in the future.