that were done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were done" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate something that has been completed or accomplished in the past. Example: The renovations that were done on the old building were extensive and costly.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Assessments that were done took longer.

The New York Times

"There were some things that were done wrong.

The New York Times - Sports

"They made various donations to offset some of the things that were done".

The New York Times

I also wrote some one-act plays that were done for a couple of nights.

The Guardian - Film

These are the same things that were done under the shah and are now being repeated.

The New York Times

There is no telling who would win if that were done.

The New York Times

"There were dance moves that were done then that are now lost," he said.

The New York Times

I learnt an enormous amount, both from the mistakes and the things that were done well.

The Guardian - Books

His left arm is heavily scarred from surgeries that were done prior to his detention.

The New Yorker

The studies that were done were almost always small and inadequate.

The New York Times - Health

"Having two female voices meant we could do things that were done in riot grrrl.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were done", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the actions. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that was done" when referring to multiple actions or items. "That was done" is singular; use "that were done" for plural subjects to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were done" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by describing actions or tasks completed in the past. Ludwig examples show it's used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were done" functions as a relative clause to describe actions or tasks completed in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various domains. It is most frequently found in news media and scientific contexts. For variety, consider alternatives like "that were carried out" or "that were completed", but ensure subject-verb agreement for grammatical correctness. By varying your wording, you enhance the impact of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that have been executed

Replaces "done" with "executed", suggesting a more formal or deliberate carrying out of an action.

that had been performed

Substitutes "done" with "performed", often used in contexts of tasks, duties, or artistic performances.

that were carried out

Replaces "done" with the phrasal verb "carried out", indicating the execution of a plan, order, or experiment.

that were completed

Emphasizes the finished state of the actions, using "completed" instead of "done".

that were achieved

Focuses on the successful accomplishment of something, replacing "done" with "achieved".

that were undertaken

Indicates that something was started and pursued, using "undertaken" as a more formal alternative to "done".

that were finalized

Highlights the concluding aspect of the actions, replacing "done" with "finalized".

that were enacted

Suggests the formal implementation or establishment of something, using "enacted" instead of "done".

that were realized

Focuses on bringing something into existence or making it happen, replacing "done" with "realized".

that were affected

Highlights the impact or influence of the actions, replacing "done" with "affected".

FAQs

How can I use "that were done" in a sentence?

Use "that were done" to describe multiple actions or tasks completed in the past, such as "The experiments "that were done" in the lab yielded significant results".

What are some alternatives to "that were done"?

Alternatives include "that were carried out", "that were completed", or "that have been executed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "that was done" and "that were done"?

"That was done" is singular, referring to a single action, while ""that were done"" is plural, referring to multiple actions or tasks. Use the correct form based on the number of items you are describing.

When is it more appropriate to use "that were performed" instead of "that were done"?

"That were performed" is often used in more formal contexts, especially when describing tasks, duties, or artistic acts. While ""that were done"" is generally acceptable, "that were performed" adds a layer of formality or precision.