settled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "settled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a decision has been made or a situation has been resolved. Example: "After much discussion, we finally settled on a date for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pressure has been mounting on Abbott to grant a conscience vote on the issue, but the prime minister has consistently said that the issue will be settled by the Coalition party room.

The Guardian

"They had huge arguments but they settled on a system that prevented us from becoming too radical in either direction and forced us to deal with each other".

The Guardian

The Samoans, among whom he settled, called him "the teller of tales", and readers who return to him as adults are still caught up in the engaging pace and clarity of those tales.

The Guardian - Books

The crowd, not used to seeing so many top-class players on show, had to wait until deep into the second half for his debut, and so their attention settled on United's Juan Sebastian Veron.

The Guardian - Sport

When his career in football finished Wee Hughie settled on Tyneside, working as a labourer and writing articles for the local press.

The Guardian - Sport

I don't know that any woman ever directly rejected Don Francisco's physical prodding on an aired episode of Sábado Gigante – but he was sued for sexual harassment by a cast member (it was settled out of court).

The Guardian - Opinion

If we're going to have a referendum we should have it as soon as possible so we can get the question settled once and for all".

The Guardian

The furor over Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" comments had finally settled down when a Republican governor appeared at a Romney rally to praise Republican wives.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bombay has a fair claim to being the birthplace of modern art and it was because, it is often said, several European Jews came and settled here when Hitler took over Germany.

The Guardian

The overall aim remains the creation of an international agreement on climate change which is due to be settled at the next UN summit, COP21, to be held in Paris in December 2015.

The Guardian

Sahlee's family settled in Yarmouk, Syria, but they were forced to migrate once again after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "settled" to describe both a final decision and a sense of comfort or stability after a period of change.

Common error

Avoid using "settled" when you mean "seated". "Settled" implies a resolution or a feeling of stability, while "seated" simply means to be in a sitting position. For example, "The audience members were seated before the show began" is correct, not "settled".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "settled" is as a verb in the past tense or as an adjective. As a verb, it indicates that a decision or agreement has been reached. As an adjective, it describes a state of being comfortable or stable. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating these uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "settled" is a versatile term used both as a verb and an adjective, primarily denoting a state of finality, resolution, or stability. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous real-world examples from sources like The Guardian, confirms its frequent use in news and media contexts. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, "settled" describes everything from legal disputes being resolved to personal comfort in a new environment. Related phrases like "resolved" and "decided" offer similar meanings but with subtle differences. Common errors include confusing "settled" with "seated". Overall, "settled" is a reliable and adaptable word for expressing completion and stability in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resolved

Indicates a decision has been reached or a problem has been solved.

decided

Similar to "resolved", but emphasizes the act of making a choice.

agreed upon

Highlights mutual consent or consensus on a matter.

finalized

Emphasizes the completion and confirmation of something.

determined

Focuses on establishing something firmly or definitively.

established

Implies setting up something on a firm or permanent basis.

concluded

Suggests bringing something to an end, often after deliberation.

reached a consensus

Highlights the process of achieving agreement among multiple parties.

made up their minds

Focuses on the mental process of deciding.

put to rest

Indicates that an issue or concern has been definitively addressed and is no longer a cause for worry.

FAQs

How is "settled" used in a sentence?

The word "settled" can be used to describe a final decision, such as "The lawsuit was "settled out of court"", or to describe a feeling of stability, such as "After moving, it took a while to feel "settled in"".

What words are similar to "settled"?

Alternatives to "settled" include "resolved", "decided", and "agreed upon", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "settled"?

"Settled" is appropriate when describing a situation that has reached a final decision or resolution, or when describing a feeling of being comfortable and at ease.

What's the difference between "settled" and "resolved"?

While both "settled" and "resolved" imply that something has been decided, "settled" can also refer to becoming comfortable or established, whereas "resolved" typically refers to solving a problem or dispute.