talks were conducted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talks were conducted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe discussions or negotiations that took place between parties. Example: "After several weeks of negotiations, talks were conducted to finalize the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Those initial talks were conducted without becoming known to the public.

The New York Times - Sports

The TPP might not be so controversial if talks were conducted openly.

The Economist

Those talks were conducted last April, May and June, ending in late June as the union awaited a response to its proposal.

The New York Times - Sports

Talks were conducted by every president since the demise of the dictatorship in 1975: centrist Adolfo Suárez, socialist Felipe González and conservative José María Aznar.

The Guardian - Opinion

An Israeli official who said he had taken part in discussions with the Palestinians said the talks were conducted "at the lower levels," suggesting that a lot of work lay ahead.

The New York Times

But throughout the negotiations, some members of the tenant board complained that talks were conducted in secret, and that neither board members nor tenants were kept informed about what was going on.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The talks are conducted in English.

The Guardian

Peace talks being conducted by the African Union fell apart last week.

The New York Times

The result may undermine reunification talks being conducted by the Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot leaders.

The Economist

"In my own experience, the most successful results are obtained when talks are conducted with goodwill," he said.

The Guardian

Umbrella Group non-papers written by Brollies, Parallel talks being conducted in Bali, Nairobi and Poznan and other great flings, These are a few of my favourite things.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "talks were conducted", ensure the context clearly indicates who conducted the talks. If relevant, specify the method or location of the discussions to provide a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who participated in the "talks". For instance, instead of just saying "talks were conducted", specify "talks were conducted between the union and management".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talks were conducted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that discussions or negotiations happened. As supported by Ludwig, it is used to describe events where dialogue occurred without necessarily specifying who initiated or led the talks.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

17%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talks were conducted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe formal discussions or negotiations, especially in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI indicates its appropriateness for reporting events objectively. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the parties involved and the context of the discussions to avoid ambiguity. More formal alternatives include "negotiations occurred", while less formal options are "meetings were held". The phrase is generally neutral in register and suitable for a range of professional and informative settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussions took place

Replaces "talks" with "discussions" and uses the verb "took place" instead of the passive "were conducted".

negotiations occurred

Substitutes "talks" with "negotiations" and "were conducted" with "occurred", implying a more formal setting.

meetings were held

Replaces "talks" with "meetings" and maintains the passive voice structure, suitable for various contexts.

dialogues transpired

Employs "dialogues" instead of "talks" and uses "transpired" to suggest the unfolding of conversations.

consultations were carried out

Replaces "talks" with "consultations" and uses "were carried out" to emphasize the execution of the discussions.

conversations unfolded

Uses "conversations" in place of "talks" and "unfolded" to imply a natural progression of discussions.

conferences were convened

Substitutes "talks" with "conferences" suggesting a more formal, often larger, gathering; and replacing "conducted" with "convened".

sessions were undertaken

Replaces "talks" with "sessions" and "conducted" with "undertaken", indicating a series of formal discussions.

exchanges were facilitated

Uses "exchanges" to represent the talks and "were facilitated" to highlight the process of enabling the discussions.

interactions were managed

Substitutes "talks" with "interactions" and "were conducted" with "were managed", emphasizing the handling of the discussions.

FAQs

What does "talks were conducted" mean?

The phrase "talks were conducted" means that discussions or negotiations took place between two or more parties. It suggests a formal process of communication aimed at reaching an agreement or understanding.

How can I rephrase "talks were conducted" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "negotiations occurred" or "consultations were carried out". These alternatives add a layer of seriousness and professionalism.

What are some less formal alternatives to "talks were conducted"?

Less formal options include "meetings were held" or "conversations unfolded". These suggest a more relaxed and informal exchange of ideas.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "talks were conducted"?

The phrase "talks were conducted" is suitable for news reports, official statements, and academic papers. It is often used when describing diplomatic negotiations, business deals, or conflict resolution efforts.