was negotiated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was negotiated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an agreement or arrangement was reached through discussion or bargaining in the past. Example: "The contract was negotiated over several months before both parties reached a final agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was negotiated.

The New York Times - Sports

Q What was negotiated?

The New York Times

An uneasy truce was negotiated last July.

The Economist

That was negotiated by [Robert ] Gallucci

Harvard University

A peace agreement was negotiated in October 1976.

Encyclopedia Britannica

New assistance was negotiated from the Americans.

The Guardian - Business

That was negotiated down to £70,000.

The Guardian - Money

Today the bridge was negotiated by the Dalai Lama.

The Economist

Divorce was negotiated and settled by the families concerned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A small wage increase for public employees was negotiated recently.

The New York Times

The deal was negotiated by Lebanon's Hezbollah movement.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was negotiated", ensure the context clearly indicates who participated in the negotiation and what the subject of the negotiation was. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was negotiated" excessively in contexts where active voice would be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The deal was negotiated by the team", consider "The team negotiated the deal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was negotiated" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an agreement, deal, or term has been reached through discussion and bargaining. Ludwig shows that it's commonly used to describe how agreements are finalized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was negotiated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the process of reaching an agreement through discussion. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news reports to academic writing. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to be mindful of using active voice when it provides more clarity and impact. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage, you can effectively incorporate "was negotiated" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was agreed upon

Emphasizes the element of mutual agreement and finality in reaching a consensus.

was settled

Focuses on the resolution of a dispute or the finalization of an arrangement.

was arranged

Highlights the act of organizing or planning something to a mutual satisfaction.

was brokered

Suggests the involvement of a third party in facilitating the agreement.

was hammered out

Implies a more intense and possibly difficult negotiation process.

was concluded

Focuses on the formal completion or termination of negotiations.

was finalized

Highlights the completion of the negotiation and the readiness for implementation.

was worked out

Focuses on the problem-solving aspect of reaching an agreement.

was mediated

Emphasizes the role of a neutral mediator in achieving the agreement.

was arbitrated

Suggests that a formal arbitrator made a decision that both parties agreed to.

FAQs

How can I use "was negotiated" in a sentence?

The phrase "was negotiated" indicates that something was agreed upon or arranged through discussion. For example, "The contract "was negotiated" by the lawyers" or "The terms of the agreement "was negotiated" over several weeks".

What are some alternatives to "was negotiated"?

You can use alternatives such as "was agreed upon", "was settled", or "was arranged" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a negotiation?

While "was negotiated" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they negotiated") can often make your writing more direct and engaging. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the actors.

What's the difference between "was negotiated" and "was mediated"?

"Was negotiated" implies a direct discussion between parties to reach an agreement. "Was mediated" suggests that a neutral third party helped facilitate the discussion and agreement.