reports were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reports were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that reports have been created or submitted regarding a specific issue or event. Example: "After the incident, reports were made to document the findings and ensure proper follow-up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More than 60% of those reports were made after babesiosis became nationally reportable in 2011.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Reports were made based on clinical suspicion to avoid the risk of non-reporting when test results were awaited at the time of death.

British Medical Journal

Reports were made, rituals repeated.

The New Yorker

No hearings were held; no committee reports were made.

Cornell University

No FBAR reports were made by MANAFORT for these accounts.

The Washington Post

No FBAR reports were made by GATES for these accounts.

The Washington Post

More than 22,000 such false reports were made, Verizon said.

The New York Times

The reports were made to the Mexican Consulate in New York City.

The New York Times

The reports were made in Morse code until the 1980s brought a radio telephone.

Independent

The reports were made on the French channel iTele TV and Mediapart, a French investigative website.

Independent

A hundred bishops released their diocese data on the day the two reports were made public.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reports were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who created the reports and for what purpose. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "reports were made" if the active agent is known and relevant. Using the active voice (e.g., "Analysts made the reports") often makes the sentence more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reports were made" functions as a passive construction indicating that reports have been created or generated. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is correct and usable in English, serving to document findings or provide information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "reports were made" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction suitable for various contexts, as validated by Ludwig. Its primary function is to inform about the creation or generation of reports, often in neutral to formal settings. While commonly found in news, science, and academic domains, users should be mindful of overusing the passive voice and should strive for active voice when the agent is known to improve readability. Alternatives like "submissions were filed" or "accounts were documented" can provide nuanced emphasis based on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submissions were filed

Focuses on the act of formally submitting something, changing the focus from creation to delivery.

notifications were submitted

Focuses on the act of providing official notice.

findings were presented

Emphasizes the act of showing the results of an investigation or study.

accounts were documented

Emphasizes the act of recording and preserving information, suggesting a more detailed and comprehensive record.

documents were prepared

Highlights the process of getting documents ready.

records were compiled

Highlights the gathering and arranging of information into a structured format.

claims were lodged

Highlights the act of formally making a claim.

transcripts were produced

Focuses on creating a written record of spoken words.

statements were issued

Indicates that official announcements or declarations were released.

assessments were conducted

Emphasizes the act of evaluating or judging something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "reports were made" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions like "analysts created reports", "the team submitted reports", or "researchers compiled reports". The best choice depends on who the agent is and the context of the sentence.

What's the difference between "reports were made" and "reports were filed"?

"Reports were made" emphasizes the creation of the reports, while "reports were filed" emphasizes the act of submitting them to an authority or system. The choice depends on which aspect you want to highlight.

Is "reports were made" too passive for formal writing?

While "reports were made" is acceptable in formal writing, consider using the active voice when possible for a more direct and engaging tone. For example, instead of "reports were made by the committee", write "the committee made the reports".

What are some alternatives to "reports were made" that imply official documentation?

You can use phrases like "records were documented", "statements were issued", or "findings were presented" to imply a formal or official nature, depending on the specific context.