searches were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "searches were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that investigations or inquiries were conducted. Example: "After the report of a missing person, extensive searches were made in the surrounding area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Searches were made of 29 houses.

The Guardian

Database and hand searches were made using specific search terms and inclusion criteria.

Clinical Psychology Review

But no television network could find such a clip — though extensive searches were made.

The Washington Post

Thirty percent of all global searches were made by people logged into a Google account.

The New York Times

Furthers searches were made on Sunday in the Brussels district of Molenbeek where Abaaoud lived, media reports said.

The Guardian

Approximately 64m searches were made in the nine months from June 2015 until the end of March 2016, according to the organisation's annual report.

The Guardian - Business

Subsequent searches were made to try and record Bombus subterraneus but to no avail and it was officially declared extinct in 2000.

The Guardian - Opinion

AOL is being sued by three American users after details of their internet searches were made available by the US web firm this year.

The Guardian

Searches were made on Steve Ferrello in Google, Zoom Info (a web-based search engine), and the general news indexes of Lexis Nexis.

MIT Technology Review

Searches were made on Jim Heedles in Google, Zoom Info (a web-based search engine), and the general news indexes of Lexis Nexis.

MIT Technology Review

PSI-BLAST46 searches were made of the NYCOMPS98 data set of prokaryotic genomes, which contained ∼40,000 sequences for alpha-helical membrane proteins.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "searches were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who conducted the searches and the purpose behind them. Provide specifics to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "searches were made" without specifying who conducted the searches. Be specific (e.g., "Police searches were made", not just "searches were made").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "searches were made" functions as a passive construction, indicating that searches occurred without explicitly stating who performed them. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show it used across varied contexts, highlighting its flexibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "searches were made" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English. It serves to report that investigations or examinations were conducted, often by an unspecified agent. While versatile, clarity can be improved by specifying who conducted the searches. Predominantly found in science and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. For alternative phrasing, consider "investigations were conducted" or "inquiries were performed". Ensure the context is clear to maximize effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

investigations were conducted

Replaces "searches" with a more formal term, emphasizing a structured inquiry.

inquiries were performed

Substitutes "searches" with "inquiries" and "made" with "performed", suggesting a formal investigation.

investigations took place

Emphasizes the occurrence of the investigations rather than the act of making them.

a search was carried out

Replaces the passive plural with a singular active construction, focusing on a single search event.

examinations were undertaken

Uses "examinations" to imply a detailed and thorough search process.

explorations were initiated

Suggests the beginning of a search or investigative process.

raids were executed

Replaces "searches" with "raids", emphasizing law enforcement or military actions.

combing operations were launched

Implies a systematic and thorough search over an area.

inspections were implemented

Highlights the process of inspecting, typically used when checking compliance or quality.

scouring was effected

Indicates a thorough and often frantic search.

FAQs

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

You can use phrases like "investigations were conducted", or "inquiries were performed" to create a more formal tone.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when describing searches?

While "searches were made" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The police conducted searches") can often make your writing more direct and engaging.

What's the difference between "searches were made" and "a search was conducted"?

"Searches were made" implies multiple searches, whereas "a search was conducted" suggests a single instance. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the number of searches performed.

What are some alternatives to "searches were made" in scientific writing?

In scientific writing, you might consider alternatives such as "examinations were undertaken", "database searches were performed", or "analyses were conducted", depending on the specific context.