were agreed upon

USAGE SUMMARY

"were agreed upon" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to conditions or details that have been agreed upon by two or more parties. For example: "The details of the contract were agreed upon and signed by both parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A number of additional measures were agreed upon.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Once the delegations were agreed upon and seated, the nomination of McGovern was assured.

Britannica

Before that, any design could be used, and time allowances were agreed upon.

The New York Times

He said the settlement terms were agreed upon the following day.

The New York Times

These decrees were agreed upon by the representatives of the German states on Sept. 20, 1819.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many such pacts were agreed upon between the late 1970s and the late 1990s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Besides, twelve out of thirteen measures were agreed upon by the respondents as to ways for improving the language structure.

International Journal of Project Management

Several statements on the still debated issue of stabilometry standardization were agreed upon by the ISPGR Standardization Committee.

Gait & Posture

Boundaries between North and South Carolina were agreed upon in 1735 but not completely surveyed until 1821.

Britannica

Sadler said his parting with the Wood Brothers, the terms of which were agreed upon in late May, was amicable.

The New York Times - Sports

In pure-rental buildings, many of the rent reductions for existing tenants were agreed upon in negotiations with tenant associations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were agreed upon", ensure clarity by specifying who reached the agreement, or this information is clear from the context.

Common error

Avoid using "were agreed upon" without a clear subject. Specify who did the agreeing, or ensure it's explicitly stated in the surrounding context to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were agreed upon" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject received the action of being agreed upon. It emphasizes the result of an agreement, rather than the act of agreeing. Ludwig AI shows various examples of its use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were agreed upon" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that a consensus or mutual understanding has been reached. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is versatile and appears across various contexts, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that it's clear who reached the agreement to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "were decided on" or "were consented to" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. While both "were agreed on" and "were agreed upon" are correct, the latter carries a slightly more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were decided on

Focuses more on the decision-making aspect rather than the agreement.

were consented to

Emphasizes the act of giving permission or approval.

were settled upon

Suggests a resolution after some discussion or debate.

were determined by consensus

Highlights that the agreement was reached through a collective decision-making process.

were mutually approved

Stresses the reciprocity of the approval process.

were accepted by all parties

Clearly indicates that everyone involved has agreed.

were established by accord

Implies a formal agreement or treaty.

were ratified

Indicates formal confirmation or sanctioning.

were formally adopted

Highlights the official acceptance of the terms.

were stipulated

Emphasizes that the terms were specified or required.

FAQs

How can I use "were agreed upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "were agreed upon" is typically used in passive constructions to indicate that certain terms, conditions, or decisions have been mutually accepted. For instance, "The terms of the contract "were agreed upon" by both parties after extensive negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "were agreed upon"?

Some alternatives include "were decided on", "were consented to", or "were settled upon". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "were agreed on" or "were agreed upon"?

Both "were agreed on" and "were agreed upon" are grammatically correct and widely accepted. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference, although "were agreed upon" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What does it mean when something "was agreed upon"?

When something "was agreed upon", it means that the parties involved have reached a mutual understanding and have accepted the terms or conditions under discussion. It signifies a consensus or a mutual decision.