moves were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moves were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that actions or decisions were taken, often in a strategic or deliberate context. Example: "In the negotiations, several moves were made to ensure a favorable outcome for both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The moves were made to rebuild a little bit.

The New York Times

These moves were made before the stock market plummeted.

The New York Times

Spagnuolo denied that these moves were made to shake things up.

The New York Times

All those moves were made for games like the one the Jets played Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

The moves were made for football reasons, not Andrews's mental health, Coach Andy Reid said.

The New York Times - Sports

The moves were made with the benefit of the Islanders' fragile psyche in mind.

The New York Times - Sports

Similar moves were made in Canada in 1986, France in 1994, and Thailand in 2005.

The Guardian - Film

The British moves were made after studying the Dutch and Swedish experience.But what is really happening in Sweden?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

SEX -- Moves are made but repulsed.

The New York Times

Moves are made upon the scientific and strategic boards.

The Guardian

There is, of course, a complex set of diplomatic chess moves being made here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moves were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the moves and what their intended purpose was. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "moves were made" without specifying who made the moves. This can create ambiguity and weaken the impact of your statement. Instead, specify the actor to create a more direct and informative sentence. For example, instead of "Moves were made to improve the situation", say "The company made moves to improve the situation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moves were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that actions or decisions have been implemented. It highlights the occurrence of actions without necessarily specifying the actor. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "moves were made" is a versatile and frequently used expression to indicate that actions or decisions have been taken. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and formal documents. To enhance clarity, specify the actor when using the phrase. Alternatives like "steps were taken" or "actions were implemented" can provide slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

steps were taken

Replaces "moves" with "steps", emphasizing a sequence of actions.

actions were implemented

Substitutes "moves" with "actions" and "made" with "implemented", focusing on the execution of actions.

decisions were enacted

Replaces "moves" with "decisions" and "made" with "enacted", highlighting the formal implementation of decisions.

measures were adopted

Substitutes "moves" with "measures" and "made" with "adopted", focusing on the acceptance and application of specific measures.

plans were executed

Replaces "moves" with "plans" and "made" with "executed", emphasizing the carrying out of planned actions.

initiatives were launched

Substitutes "moves" with "initiatives" and "made" with "launched", highlighting the start of new projects or initiatives.

arrangements were concluded

Replaces "moves" with "arrangements" and "made" with "concluded", focusing on the completion of agreements or arrangements.

progress was achieved

Focuses on the result of the moves, emphasizing the advancement or progress made.

advancements were realized

Emphasizes the positive outcomes or advancements that resulted from the moves.

changes were instituted

Highlights the introduction of new changes or reforms.

FAQs

How can I use "moves were made" in a sentence?

Use "moves were made" to describe actions or decisions that were implemented, often in a strategic context. For example, "After the negotiations, several "moves were made" to finalize the agreement".

What are some alternatives to "moves were made"?

You can use alternatives such as "steps were taken", "actions were implemented", or "decisions were enacted" depending on the specific context.

Is "moves were made" formal or informal language?

"Moves were made" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's commonly found in news reporting and business writing. More formal alternatives might include "measures were adopted" or "plans were executed".

What does "moves were made" imply?

"Moves were made" implies that specific actions or decisions have been taken, usually with a particular goal or strategy in mind. It's a way of indicating that something has been done, often in response to a situation or as part of a plan.