were reconciled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were reconciled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where two parties have resolved their differences or come to an agreement after a conflict. Example: "After months of disagreement, the two friends were reconciled and decided to put the past behind them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By 1887 the two factions were reconciled.

Britannica

They were reconciled a decade later.

The Guardian - Books

The couple were reconciled in 2012.

The Guardian

The two were reconciled, however, shortly before Euthymius' death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Finally the two were reconciled, and on November 4, 1842, they married.

Britannica

I loved my husband, and we were reconciled at the time of his death.

The New York Times - Magazine

After four years, they divorced amicably but were reconciled last year.

The Guardian - Film

However, they were reconciled on his deathbed, and she appeared at his funeral.

The Guardian

But he then took fright at the idea; they were reconciled, and had a third child.

The New Yorker

Yet they were reconciled in August 1975, attracting as much attention as ever.

The Guardian - Film

Scaling relations with molecular weight and activation energies were reconciled with chain-end and topological effects.

Polymer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were reconciled", ensure the context clearly indicates a prior state of disagreement or conflict between the parties involved. This provides a stronger sense of resolution and restored harmony.

Common error

Avoid using "were reconciled" when there has been no prior conflict or disagreement. Using it in a neutral context can sound awkward and imply a nonexistent past tension. Ensure that the situation actually involves mending a broken relationship or resolving a dispute.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were reconciled" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of having relationships restored or differences settled. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing resolved conflicts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were reconciled" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase that signifies the restoration of harmony or agreement after a period of conflict. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is prevalent across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure the context clearly indicates a prior disagreement. Related phrases include "settled their differences", "restored harmony", and "made amends". Avoid misusing "were reconciled" in neutral contexts where no prior conflict exists.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restored harmony

Highlights the return to a state of peace and agreement, shifting the focus from the process to the resulting state.

settled their differences

Focuses on resolving disputes, whereas "were reconciled" implies a return to a harmonious relationship.

resolved their conflict

Focuses on the termination of a conflict, differing from the relational aspect of reconciliation.

found common ground

Highlights the discovery of shared beliefs or interests as a basis for agreement, unlike reconciliation which addresses past conflicts.

reached an understanding

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of coming to a mutual agreement, differing from reconciliation which focuses on relationship repair.

made amends

Emphasizes the act of repairing a relationship through remorse or compensation, differing from simply agreeing.

came to terms

Emphasizes the negotiation and acceptance of conditions for agreement, instead of the relationship repair of reconciliation.

patched things up

More informal and suggests a quick or temporary fix to a relationship, unlike the more complete resolution implied by "were reconciled".

buried the hatchet

An idiomatic expression indicating the end of hostilities, suggesting a more proactive decision to end conflict.

kissed and made up

An informal phrase suggesting a swift and often superficial reconciliation, particularly after a minor quarrel.

FAQs

How to use "were reconciled" in a sentence?

Use "were reconciled" to describe a situation where parties have restored a friendly relationship after a period of conflict. For example, "After months of disagreement, the siblings "were reconciled"."

What can I say instead of "were reconciled"?

Alternatives include "settled their differences", "restored harmony", or "made amends". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "were reconciled" or "are reconciled"?

"Were reconciled" is used for past events, while "are reconciled" is for present states. "They "were reconciled" after the meeting" indicates a past reconciliation. "They "are reconciled" now" indicates their current state.

What's the difference between "were reconciled" and "were in agreement"?

"Were in agreement" simply means parties shared the same view. "Were reconciled" implies a prior disagreement or conflict that has been resolved, leading to a restored relationship. To be "were reconciled" suggests a deeper process than simply agreeing.