the contract was signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the contract was signed" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of signing a contract that has been completed in the past. Example: "Yesterday, the contract was signed by both parties, officially solidifying the partnership between the two companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contract was signed earlier this month.

The New York Times - Arts

The contract was signed in Paris, after extensive negotiations.

The New Yorker

This offer was accepted & the contract was signed.

The New Yorker

The contract was signed in 2007 and runs until 2015.

The Guardian - Sport

A few weeks later the contract was signed.

The New Yorker

The contract was signed in December 2008 and the satellite will be launched in 2012.

Acta Astronautica

The contract was signed Aug. 12 after much wrangling over the details.

The New York Times

"They're going to be surprised," Ms. Barron said, of how quickly the contract was signed.

The New York Times

Then, about six months after the contract was signed, the bank finally made a decision.

The New York Times

Last year the contract was signed with Kaiser-Hill, with payments tied to work performed.

The New York Times

An official with Klauder said the company would not comment until the contract was signed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the contract was signed" when you want to emphasize the completion of a contractual agreement without specifying who signed it.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when the actor is known and relevant. Instead of "the contract was signed", consider "[Name] signed the contract" for a more direct and informative sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the contract was signed" functions as the predicate of a sentence, indicating the completion of the action of signing a contract. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the contract was signed" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate that a contractual agreement has been formally executed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard English grammar and is employed across various contexts, especially in news media, academic papers, and general discussions. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, using the active voice (e.g., "[Name] signed the contract") might be more effective when the signer is relevant to the message. Related phrases include alternatives like "the agreement was executed" or "the deal was finalized". Overall, understanding and using the phrase effectively contributes to clear and accurate communication, especially in professional and legal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

signatures were affixed to the contract

Replaces simple verb 'signed' with the synonym 'affixed'

the agreement was executed

Focuses on the formal completion of the agreement, often used in legal contexts.

the deal was finalized

Emphasizes the completion of negotiations and reaching a conclusive agreement.

the agreement came into effect

Highlights when the agreement became operative.

the contract has been officially sealed

Suggests that the contract is complete and fully approved

the paperwork was completed

Highlights the fulfillment of administrative requirements in the agreement.

the document was countersigned

Suggests the signing involved multiple parties, each adding their signature.

the terms were agreed upon

Focuses on the consensus reached rather than the physical act of signing.

the accord was ratified

Indicates formal approval or confirmation of the contract.

all parties consented to the contract

Highlights the consent of parties

FAQs

What does "the contract was signed" mean?

The phrase "the contract was signed" means that all necessary parties have formally agreed to the terms of a contract by affixing their signatures, making it legally binding.

Is it better to say "the contract was signed" or "[Name] signed the contract"?

The best choice depends on the context. "The contract was signed" is useful when the signer is unimportant or unknown. If the signer is important, use "[Name] signed the contract".

What can I say instead of "the contract was signed"?

You can use alternatives like "the agreement was executed", "the deal was finalized", or "signatures were affixed to the contract" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What is the difference between "the contract was signed" and "the contract is signed"?

"The contract was signed" refers to a completed action in the past. "The contract is signed" implies the contract is currently in a signed state (though less commonly used, it can emphasize the present validity).