proceedings were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proceedings were made" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that actions or steps were taken in a formal context, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "During the meeting, proceedings were made to address the budget concerns."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

With transcripts released nearly in real time, the legal proceedings were made to seem, at least initially, like a bold new experiment in government transparency.

The New York Times

Either way, such highly misleading statements by an American president are the stuff that impeachments proceedings were made for – not dalliances with interns of the Bill Clinton kind.

The Guardian - Opinion

Blackett also said that as Brennan's evidence resulted from the club's internal inquiry, in which promises of anonymity and immunity from disciplinary proceedings were made, the players might claim abuse of process if action was initiated.

Independent

This meeting and the proceedings were made possible by a conference grant from the Mississippi State University Office of the President and by funding by NSF EPSCoR Grant (EPS-0556308 06040292) and NIH award number 5R24GM079326.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The entire dossier of the pretrial proceedings is made available to the defense.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A source familiar with the investigations said the Guardian reports were reviewed before the decision to commence with proceedings was made.

The Guardian

And then the case, and it's proceedings are made public, minus the names of the students involved.

Huffington Post

He also noted that witnesses can never be fully assured that their testimony will remain sealed, since when grand juries return indictments, records from those proceedings are made public during trial.

Huffington Post

It's so perfectly streamlined, with every ounce of fat that'd get added to proceedings if it were made today left on the proverbial cutting room floor.

Vice

For the first time, the proceedings of the Committee were made public in book form; a practice which was continued at subsequent meetings.

Wikipedia

No language restrictions were made and conference proceedings were included.

Diabetologia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing formal events or legal steps, use more precise verbs like "initiated", "conducted", or "concluded" to improve clarity. For example, instead of "proceedings were made", consider "proceedings were initiated" or "the investigation was conducted".

Common error

Avoid using "made" with nouns that represent processes or abstract concepts. Instead, use verbs that actively describe the action, such as "initiated", "conducted", or "implemented", because these verbs directly express the nature and execution of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "proceedings were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that certain processes or actions have been carried out. However, according to Ludwig AI, the phrase is not considered grammatically correct in standard written English, thus limiting its use in formal writing. Consider rewording to clarify the actions taken.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "proceedings were made" appears in various sources including news, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard written English. This suggests that although the phrase is used, it is not the best way to express the idea that certain actions or processes have been carried out. For clearer and more professional communication, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "actions were taken", "steps were undertaken", or "proceedings were initiated". By using stronger verbs, writers can avoid potential grammatical errors and improve the overall impact of their message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actions were taken

This alternative replaces "proceedings" with a more general term "actions", simplifying the sentence structure.

steps were taken

This alternative uses "steps" instead of "proceedings", providing a clearer and more direct description of the actions.

arrangements were made

This alternative focuses on the preparations or plans that were established.

plans were finalized

This alternative suggests the completion of planning and decision-making processes.

decisions were reached

This alternative emphasizes the outcome of a deliberation or formal process.

processes were initiated

This alternative shifts the focus to the start of a procedure or set of actions.

measures were implemented

This alternative highlights the application of specific actions or policies.

preparations were completed

This alternative specifies that the tasks required to get ready for something have been finished.

advancements were achieved

This alternative conveys that progress has been made in a particular area.

progress was achieved

This alternative speaks about the improvements or developments were accomplished.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "proceedings were made" to sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, consider alternatives such as "actions were taken", "steps were undertaken", or "decisions were made", depending on the context.

What are some formal synonyms for "proceedings were made" in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, you could use "proceedings were initiated", "hearings were conducted", or "investigations were launched" for greater precision.

Is "proceedings were made" grammatically correct?

While "proceedings" refers to a series of actions, the phrase "proceedings were made" is not considered standard English. It's better to say "proceedings were initiated" or "proceedings took place".

How does the meaning change if I use "actions were taken" instead of "proceedings were made"?

Using "actions were taken" provides a more general description, while "proceedings" implies a formal, structured process. Ensure the rephrased alternative accurately conveys the intended level of formality and specificity.