that was committed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that was committed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an action in the past that was completed. For example: "He was found guilty of the crime that was committed two years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's not a major crime that was committed".

The New York Times - Sports

"The bottom line is that there was a crime that was committed a decade ago.

Independent

In Lunacy, Alaska, the new chief of police finds romance and investigates a murder that was committed years earlier.

The New York Times

"I want to impose a sentence that addresses the magnitude of the crime that was committed," she said.

The New York Times

My father explained to me why he left: "I joined a company that was committed to music.

The New York Times - Arts

It had a board that was committed to research and development and to investing in its business.

The Guardian - Business

Calderon previously founded Springworks, a program lab that was committed to developing paths for women and minorities in innovation related careers.

University of California, Berkeley

Detective Superintendent Simon Messinger said: "People across the country were appalled and shocked at the level of violence and destruction that was committed on August 8 , 2011

Independent

JL: When I saw the presentation at Perpignan five years ago, I thought Noor had the most hard-hitting and strongest photography that was committed to social justice.

The New York Times

CAIRO - For years, the United States tried to offer democracy-building help here but was thwarted by an Egyptian government that was committed to the opposite.

The Washington Post

I was brought up in a household that was committed to animal welfare so we rarely ate chicken at all, and I still don't.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs instead of "committed" depending on the context, to add precision and impact to your writing. For example, use "perpetrated" for crimes or "executed" for plans.

Common error

Avoid using "that was committed" in sentences where the actor is unclear. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing vague and less impactful. Ensure the agent performing the action is either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was committed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by providing additional information about an action that took place. Ludwig examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, such as describing crimes, acts of war, and general offenses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was committed" serves as a versatile relative clause, commonly employed to provide clarifying details about a noun by describing a past action. According to Ludwig examples, its use spans across diverse contexts including news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries, showcasing a wide applicability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its suitability for general use. For enhanced clarity, writers should aim to specify the actor performing the action, and consider stronger verbs depending on the tone and context. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it's important to be mindful of passive voice ambiguity and ensure clear sentence construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was perpetrated

Focuses on the act being carried out, often implying a negative or harmful action. Semantic similarity is very high.

that was carried out

Emphasizes the execution or performance of an action, often in a planned or deliberate manner.

that was perpetrated against

Specifically indicates an action done to someone or something, emphasizing the victim.

that has been committed

Uses present perfect tense, emphasizing the ongoing relevance or consequences of the action.

which was committed

Introduces a relative clause with "which", providing additional information about a noun.

that took place

Focuses on the occurrence or happening of an event, rather than the act of committing.

that transpired

Implies an event that unfolded or occurred, often with an element of mystery or intrigue.

that occurred

A more neutral term simply indicating that something happened, without specifying intention or agency.

that was enacted

Suggests a formal or official action, such as a law or policy being put into effect.

that was executed

Highlights the precise and often skillful carrying out of a plan or action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was committed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that was perpetrated" (especially for crimes), or "that was executed" (for plans or actions). The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it always necessary to specify who committed something when using "that was committed"?

While not grammatically required, specifying the actor often improves clarity and strengthens the impact of your writing. Omitting the actor can lead to vagueness or a weaker statement.

What is the difference between "that was committed" and "that occurred"?

"That was committed" implies agency and intention, suggesting someone actively performed the action. "That occurred", on the other hand, is more neutral and simply indicates that something happened, without necessarily implying intention or responsibility.

Can "that was committed" be used for both positive and negative actions?

While it can be used for both, "that was committed" is more commonly used in reference to negative actions, such as crimes or wrongdoings. For positive actions, other phrases like "that was accomplished" or "that was achieved" might be more appropriate.