that took place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that took place" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to an event that happened in the past. For example: "The conference that took place last month was a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing like that took place.

The New York Times

that took place later?

Cornell University

We will present two projects, one that took place in institutions, the other that took place in schools.

European Psychiatry

Obviously, none of that took place.

The Washington Post

That's another change that took place.

The New York Times

"So that's the battle that took place".

The New York Times - Sports

Such were the events that took place at Lesbos.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

And I think about the tragedy that took place here.

The New Yorker

"It was a certain intimacy that took place".

The New York Times

"It's a very serious and sad thing that took place".

The New York Times

"That's the sad change that took place," Moore says.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that took place" to clearly indicate a past event or occurrence, especially when providing context or details about it.

Common error

Avoid using "that took place" when a simpler verb like "happened" or "occurred" would suffice, especially in informal writing. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that took place" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or noun phrase by providing additional information about an event or occurrence. This construction is used to specify or describe the particular event being referred to. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that took place" is a versatile relative clause used to specify and provide context about past events. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While simpler alternatives like "that happened" exist, "that took place" often adds a layer of formality or emphasis. Remember to use it thoughtfully to avoid unnecessary verbosity. While versatile and correct, the usage should reflect the overall formality and context. It's essential to consider the target audience to adjust and optimize accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that occurred

Focuses on the occurrence or happening of an event, similar to "that took place".

that happened

A more common and informal alternative emphasizing the event's occurrence.

which transpired

A more formal and less frequent alternative, suggesting a sequence of events.

that came about

Emphasizes how something originated or started, relating to events "that took place".

that unfolded

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events "that took place".

that materialized

Emphasizes the realization or coming into existence of something.

that ensued

Implies a consequence or result following an initial event, similar to "that took place".

that was held

Specifically refers to events like meetings or conferences "that took place".

that was conducted

Emphasizes the execution or performance of an activity or event.

that was performed

Similar to "that was conducted", highlighting the completion of a task or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "that took place" in a sentence?

Use "that took place" to refer to an event or occurrence in the past. For example, "The meeting "that took place" last week was very productive".

What are some alternatives to "that took place"?

Alternatives include "that happened", "that occurred", or "which transpired". The choice depends on the level of formality and context.

Is there a difference between "that took place" and "that happened"?

"That took place" is generally more formal than "that happened". The latter is more common in everyday conversation.

When is it best to use "that took place" instead of a simpler alternative?

Use "that took place" when you want to emphasize the formal or official nature of an event or when providing detailed context about it. A simpler alternative might be better for less formal situations.