tests were held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tests were held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that examinations or assessments took place at a specific time or location. Example: "Due to the pandemic, the tests were held online to ensure the safety of all participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

This was achieved despite the fact that some students had to travel across battle lines from homes in opposition-held areas to loyalist zones where the tests were held.

Los Angeles Times

In this study, tank with latent heat storage in combination with hot water collector was designed and tests were held under Elazığ climatic conditions.

Thermal Science and Engineering Progress

Stocks finished slightly lower in a sideways session in New York Tuesday, but traded in a tight range throughout the session as the Federal Reserve chairman supported hopes that the recession is ending and concerns over the bank stress tests were held in check.

Forbes

The tests were held weekly with results 95 percent negative, however lapses were penalized with fines.

Wikipedia

All tests were held to a family-wise α of.05.

Plosone

UK-based tests were held in the office of The Cochrane Collaboration, and this may have influenced the answers of participants regarding use and attitudes towards The Cochrane Library and Cochrane Reviews, despite our assurances that we were not connected with the design of the web site.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Mrs. White-house Walker, Sec. of the Club, heard about the tests being held in England and went over there.

The New Yorker

The standardised reading tests are held in late April, and 60% of Sherman's pupils have limited proficiency in English.

The Economist

Connecticut Mastery Tests are held every year to assess the reading, writing and math skills of every fourth, sixth and eighth grader.

The New York Times

Remember that tests are held to see what you know and not what you don't know.

WikiHow

The 120-min lectures and post-test were held every three months and based on CDC guidelines.

JA Clinical Reports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tests were held" when you want to emphasize the event or scheduling of tests, rather than the action of testing itself. For example, "The "tests were held" in the school gymnasium."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "tests were held" in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The "tests were held" by the teachers", consider "The teachers held the tests".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tests were held" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the action of holding the tests was performed upon the subject. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe past events or scheduled occurrences of tests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tests were held" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that indicates the occurrence of tests or evaluations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is applicable in various contexts, including news, science, and general information. While the phrase is widely understood and accepted, it's important to consider whether an active voice construction would be more appropriate and direct in certain situations. The provided examples and analyses offer valuable insights into the effective and accurate usage of "tests were held".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assessments were conducted

Focuses on the action of assessing rather than the event of holding the test.

examinations took place

Replaces "tests" with "examinations", emphasizing a more formal evaluation setting.

evaluations were administered

Highlights the act of administering the evaluations rather than just holding them.

trials were carried out

Implies a more formal and controlled environment, specifically for trials or experiments.

screenings were performed

Suggests a process of filtering or checking, often used in medical or security contexts.

experiments were executed

Refers to the carrying out of a planned procedure in a scientific context.

hearings were convened

Indicates a formal gathering to examine evidence or arguments, specifically for hearings.

competitions were staged

Highlights the act of putting on a competition or performance.

matches were played

Specifically refers to sporting events or competitions.

sessions were organized

Focuses on the arrangement and management of the sessions rather than the tests themselves.

FAQs

How do I use "tests were held" in a sentence?

The phrase "tests were held" indicates that evaluations or assessments took place. For instance, "The final exams, which consisted of rigorous "tests were held" over three days." Alternatively, you could say "assessments were conducted" or "examinations took place" depending on context.

What can I say instead of "tests were held"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "assessments were conducted", "examinations took place", or "trials were carried out".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "tests"?

Whether to use active or passive voice depends on the emphasis you want to convey. Active voice (e.g., "The proctors held the tests") is more direct. Passive voice ("tests were held") emphasizes the tests themselves and may be useful when the actor is unknown or less important.

Which is correct: "tests were held" or "tests are held"?

"Tests were held" indicates a past event. "Tests are held" implies a recurring or scheduled event in the present. For example: "The "tests were held" last week", versus "The standardized "tests are held" annually in April."