were settled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were settled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to indicate that something has been resolved or agreed upon. Example: After a lengthy debate, the terms of the contract were settled.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Scores were settled.

The Guardian

The charges were settled.

The New York Times

His views were settled.

The Guardian - Books

Arguments were settled by violence.

The New York Times

When they were settled he kissed her.

The New Yorker

Certain matters were settled after serious discussion.

The New Yorker

Both lawsuits were settled out of court.

The Guardian - Film

Fights were settled mostly with fists.

The New York Times

Both were settled for undisclosed amounts.

The New York Times

The conditions for the o-montmorillonite modification were settled.

Polymer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Any minor disagreements were settled with laughs.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were settled", ensure the context clearly indicates what was resolved, agreed upon, or established. For instance, specify whether it's a dispute, a legal case, or a group of people in a new location.

Common error

Avoid using "were settled" when the situation merely improved but wasn't fully resolved. Use terms like "were improved" or "were eased" if the matter isn't completely finalized.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were settled" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being settled. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts such as legal cases, disputes, and establishment of residence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were settled" is a versatile passive verb construction used to indicate resolution, agreement, or establishment across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic writing. To maximize clarity, be sure to specify what was settled. While alternative phrases like "were resolved" or "were decided" can be used, "were settled" often implies a conclusive outcome. Remember to check the subject of the sentence is plural or singular to avoid grammatical errors, and the proper form is "was settled" for singular subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were resolved

Focuses on the act of solving or making a decision about something.

were decided

Emphasizes the making of a choice or judgment.

were determined

Highlights the act of firmly establishing something after consideration.

were agreed upon

Underscores the element of mutual consent or arrangement.

were finalized

Implies that the process of reaching a final state is complete.

were concluded

Suggests that something has reached its end or termination.

were established

Focuses on the act of setting up or founding something permanently.

were arranged

Highlights the act of organizing or planning something.

were adjusted

Emphasizes the act of making changes to reach a desired state.

were reconciled

Highlights the resolution of differences or restoration of harmony.

FAQs

How can I use "were settled" in a sentence?

You can use "were settled" to indicate that something has been resolved or agreed upon. For example, "The lawsuit claims "were settled" out of court".

What's a good alternative to "were settled" when talking about disputes?

Alternatives like "were resolved", "were decided", or "were reconciled" may be suitable depending on the specific context of the dispute.

Is it correct to say "was settled" instead of "were settled"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was settled" for singular subjects (e.g., "The issue was settled"), and "were settled" for plural subjects (e.g., "The accounts were settled").

How does "were settled" differ from "were addressed"?

"Were addressed" indicates that something was acknowledged and dealt with, while ""were settled"" implies that the issue was fully resolved or an agreement was reached. Addressed implies attention, settled implies resolution.