payments were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "payments were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that financial transactions have occurred. Example: "After the agreement was finalized, payments were made to all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It had not found evidence that payments were made.

The Guardian - Business

I understood the payments were made to get police cooperation.

The New York Times

This graphic shows how the payments were made.

The New York Times

The payments were made to Spiked US Inc.

The Guardian - Opinion

Monthly payments were made by allowing AOL to debit automatically the credit cards of class members.

Harvard University

Again and again, The Times found, legal and bureaucratic obstacles melted away after payments were made.

The New York Times

The payments were made to 149 people between 1994 and 2001.

The Economist

Outside a bank, people queue for their wages, since no payments were made during the fighting.

The Economist

2. Payments were made for plays such as interceptions or fumble recoveries.

The New York Times

The company did not specify to whom the payments were made.

The New York Times

The plot, which became known as "mensalão," because the bribe payments were made monthly, shattered expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "payments were made", specify the recipient and purpose for clarity. For example, "Payments were made to the contractor for completed work" is more informative.

Common error

Avoid vague statements. Instead of just saying "payments were made", specify who made the payments and to whom. This avoids confusion and adds transparency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "payments were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that a financial transaction has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use. Examples show it describing various payments, from wages to settlements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "payments were made" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that financial transactions have taken place. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency across diverse sources such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts underscores its versatility. While generally neutral in tone, its clarity can be enhanced by specifying who initiated the payments and to whom. Alternatives like "funds were disbursed" or "transfers were made" may be used to adjust the formality or emphasis of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

payouts were made

Replaces 'payments' with 'payouts', emphasizing the disbursement aspect.

funds were disbursed

Replaces the entire expression, focusing on formal release of money.

transfers were made

Substitutes 'payments' with 'transfers', highlighting the movement of funds.

remittances were made

Uses 'remittances' instead of 'payments', specifying that the funds are being sent to another party.

pensions were made

Replaces 'payments' with 'pensions', focusing on regular payments to retirees.

payments were implemented

Adds 'implemented' to emphasize the action of putting payment processes into effect.

benefits were made

Changes 'payments' to 'benefits', referring to assistance or entitlements.

expenses were made

Substitutes 'payments' with 'expenses', highlighting the costs incurred.

compensations were made

Uses 'compensations' to replace 'payments', focusing on reparation or indemnity.

distributions were made

Replaces 'payments' with 'distributions', referring to the act of giving out shares or dividends.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "payments were made" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you might consider using phrases like "funds were disbursed", "remittance was effected", or "transfer of funds was executed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

While "payments were made" (passive) is common, active voice (e.g., "the company made payments") can be more direct and informative, specifying who initiated the payment.

What's the difference between "payments were made" and "funds were transferred"?

"Payments were made" is a general statement about the act of paying. "Funds were transferred" specifically indicates that money has moved from one account or entity to another.

What are some common contexts where the phrase "payments were made" is typically used?

This phrase is commonly used in financial reports, legal documents, news articles discussing transactions, and academic papers analyzing economic activity. It's a versatile phrase applicable to diverse settings.