gatherings were held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gatherings were held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe events or meetings that took place in the past. Example: "In the summer of 2020, several gatherings were held to discuss community issues and solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Larger gatherings were held for public demonstrations of spirit contact and psychic phenomena.

Britannica

Gatherings were held in bars, halls and backyards and altogether, the events drew over 100,000 people.

The Guardian

A number of peaceful rallies and church gatherings were held in Miami, Martin's home town, and in Sanford, one of them attended by Tracy Martin and Sybrina Fulton.

The Guardian

No classes or prayer gatherings were held Tuesday, and one monk said he and his peers were reading scriptures in their rooms.

The New York Times

On Friday and Saturday, dozens of such gatherings were held peacefully in cities and towns across the country, generating hopes that the festive religious atmosphere would create momentum for peace.

The Washington Post

The 12th notice finally succeeded, and in December 1997 the city closed the club, which had four clay tennis courts but was primarily a social hall where weddings, retirement parties and political gatherings were held.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Annual fraternal gatherings are held for fellowship and Bible study.

Britannica

The gatherings are held twice a week in the studio of Bernard Gabriel, concert pianist and teacher.

The New Yorker

The code stands for the somewhat more prosaic "Cabinet Office Briefing Room A" in Whitehall, where such gatherings are held.

The New York Times

But for the most part, the men involved play supporting roles, including taking care of the children when gatherings are held at night or on the weekends.

The New York Times

Small gatherings are held in a bijou courtyard (John Hegley made a recent appearance) while larger events take place in the town.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "gatherings were held" to emphasize that meetings or congregations occurred, especially when the purpose was social, political, or religious.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice (e.g., "gatherings were held") when a more active construction would be clearer and more engaging. For example, instead of "gatherings were held by the community", consider "the community held gatherings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gatherings were held" functions as a declarative statement indicating that events or meetings took place. Ludwig AI shows it is used to describe past occurrences across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gatherings were held" is a commonly used phrase to describe past events across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias. While generally neutral in tone, it can be used in both formal and informal settings. To enhance clarity, consider active voice constructions where appropriate. Alternative phrases like "meetings took place" or "events were organized" can provide variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meetings took place

Replaces "gatherings" with "meetings", focusing on the formal aspect of the event.

events were organized

Uses "events" instead of "gatherings", emphasizing the planned nature of the activities.

sessions were conducted

Highlights the structured or formal nature of the meetings.

conferences were convened

Suggests a more formal and large-scale event.

rallies occurred

Specifically refers to public demonstrations or supportive meetings.

assemblies were carried out

Emphasizes the execution or completion of formal gatherings.

forums were hosted

Implies an open discussion or debate setting.

demonstrations were staged

Indicates a public display or protest.

celebrations were performed

Refers to festive or commemorative events.

services were conducted

Specifically used for religious or ceremonial gatherings.

FAQs

How can I use "gatherings were held" in a sentence?

You can use "gatherings were held" to indicate that meetings, events, or congregations took place. For example, "Numerous "rallies were held" in support of the cause".

What are some alternatives to "gatherings were held"?

Alternatives include "meetings took place", "events were organized", or "sessions were conducted", depending on the context.

Is "gatherings were held" formal or informal?

"Gatherings were held" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the nature of the gatherings themselves.

What kind of events can be described using "gatherings were held"?

The phrase can describe a wide range of events, including political rallies, religious services, social meetings, and academic "conferences were convened".