targets were made

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "targets were made" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the creation or establishment of specific goals or objectives. Example: "After extensive discussions, the targets were made to ensure the project stays on track."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Government officials said schools improved when targets were made tougher.

The Guardian

Their portrait targets were made by the artist Bayeté Ross Smith, who had earlier photographed participants.

The New Yorker

The laser and the targets were made; fusion "break-even", however, was not.

The Economist

These targets were made for experiments at Sandia National Laboratory's (SNL) double-ended Z-pinch experiments, which closely mimic heavy ion drive.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Total RNA was extracted from specimens using the acid guanidinum thiocyanate phenol chloroform extraction method and treated with DNase I. Biotin-labelled cDNA targets were made from 2.5  μg of total RNA using Gene Navigator cDNA amplification system (Toyobo, Osaka, Japan), including random 9-mer, biotin-16-dUTP, and ReverTraAceTM reverse transcriptase.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Targets were "making a comeback... as a security blanket" for police, she said.

BBC

Agreements about targets are made early in the system lifecycle when considerable uncertainty exists about the design detail and potential failure modes.

Reliability Engineering & System Safety

A distinction between "inevitable" and "avoidable" thermodynamic losses and "practical" or "ideal" performance targets is made, in order to achieve both energy savings and other process benefits.

Pinch Analysis and Process Integration A User Guide on Process Integration for the Efficient Use of Energy

By improving the usability of the code, called the Open-source Seismic Wave Propagation Code (OpenSWPC), the numerical simulation with parallel computing of a wide variety of targets is made accessible to users.

Earth, Planets and Space

Blake et al., (2003) found that if the targets are made to move over an area that had previously been adapting to one of the rivaling target, it was possible to induce a switch favoring the non-adapted target.

Plosone

Non-blinkers continue to show little or no AB when identification of targets is made more difficult, either by increasing the overall rate of stimulus presentation [3], or by specifically reducing the duration of the targets [7].

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "targets were made", ensure the context clearly indicates who established the targets and the rationale behind them. Providing this context enhances clarity and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "targets were made" in contexts where the actor is unclear. If the subject making the targets is not explicitly stated, revise to use an active voice (e.g., "The team made the targets") to improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "targets were made" functions as a statement indicating the creation or establishment of specific objectives or goals. As Ludwig AI points out, this can be found across diverse sources, denoting a process of setting aims.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "targets were made" is grammatically sound but relatively infrequent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, primarily noting its function in indicating the establishment of objectives. While applicable across domains like science and news, it’s important to ensure clarity regarding who made the targets to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "goals were set" may offer broader contemporary usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goals were set

This alternative replaces "targets" with "goals" and "made" with "set", emphasizing the act of establishing objectives.

objectives were established

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary, replacing "targets" with "objectives" and "made" with "established", which conveys a sense of formal creation.

aims were defined

This alternative focuses on the clarity and specification of goals, using "aims" instead of "targets" and "defined" to highlight the precision involved.

benchmarks were created

This variation is useful in contexts where measurable standards are being discussed. It uses "benchmarks" to highlight specific, quantifiable goals.

goals were formulated

This alternative emphasizes the planning and development aspect of creating goals, with "formulated" suggesting a structured approach.

objectives were determined

This option stresses the process of figuring out or deciding on specific aims, using "determined" to indicate a conclusion.

criteria were established

Using "criteria" focuses on the standards or rules that were set, relevant when defining guidelines for evaluation or performance.

standards were set

This alternative emphasizes the level of quality or attainment that was determined, using "standards" to highlight expectations.

plans were devised

This phrase shifts the focus to the strategic aspect, using "plans" to suggest a course of action was developed.

agreements were reached on targets

This alternative emphasizes the consensus and negotiation involved in defining targets, highlighting mutual understanding and acceptance.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "objectives were established" or "goals were formulated". These options add a level of sophistication suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "targets were made" or "targets were set"?

Both "targets were made" and "targets were set" are grammatically correct. However, "goals were set" might be slightly more common and idiomatic in contemporary English. The choice depends on personal preference and context.

What does it mean when we say "targets were made"?

When we say "targets were made", it means that specific goals or objectives have been established or created, usually with the intention of achieving them within a defined timeframe or set of parameters.

What are some alternatives to using passive voice constructions like "targets were made"?

To avoid passive voice, rephrase the sentence to emphasize the actor. For example, instead of "targets were made", you could say "The team made the targets" or "Management established the targets". This makes the sentence more direct and clearer.