were settled upon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were settled upon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing decisions or agreements that have been reached or finalized by a group or individuals. Example: "After much discussion, the terms of the contract were settled upon by all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In 1845 Kruger was a member of Potgieter's expedition to Delagoa Bay in Mozambique to negotiate a frontier with Portugal; the Lebombo Mountains were settled upon as the border between Boer and Portuguese lands.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was 17 years before a solution was settled upon by the Greater London Council.

The Guardian

It was settled upon as the "prime meridian" at an international conference in Washington in 1884.

The Washington Post

A third turned up 21 and that was the number that was settled upon.

The New York Times

More realistically, perhaps a set yearly increment could be settled upon.

The Guardian

Filming began earlier this month but its title is yet to be settled upon, meaning there's still hope for Gear Knobs.

Independent

A commission to oversee the referendum has only just been settled upon, with four months to organise the vote.

The Economist

In the corporate world, once a "brand identity" is settled upon, it is enforced with military precision throughout a company's operations.

The Guardian

Then a more realistic wager was settled upon that will see the crew of the defeated airline dress in the uniform of the other..@FlyAirNZ It's on!

Independent

The Theory of Everything actress Felicity Jones will star in Rogue One in an unknown role, with other cast members yet to be settled upon.

Independent

Once an initial list of names was settled upon, the small group of family members who own and run the company met again to finalize the decision.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were settled upon" to indicate that a decision, agreement, or boundary has been formally established after deliberation or negotiation. It's most effective in formal writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "were settled upon" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "agreed on" or "decided on" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were settled upon" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a decision, agreement, or conclusion was reached or finalized by a group or individual. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were settled upon" is a grammatically sound passive construction, indicating that a decision or agreement has been reached, often after discussion or negotiation. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in writing. While it appears across various contexts, it is most frequently found in news, wiki and science-related content. For more casual settings, alternatives such as "were agreed upon" or "were decided upon" may be more suitable. Consider the register and context when choosing between "were settled upon" and its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were agreed upon

Synonymous; focuses on the agreement aspect.

were decided upon

Emphasizes the act of making a decision.

were determined

Highlights the process of establishing something definitively.

were finalized

Focuses on the completion and concluding aspect.

were established

Suggests a more formal or official confirmation.

were chosen

Highlights the selection aspect of the decision.

were resolved

Focuses on settling a dispute or uncertainty.

were concluded

Emphasizes the finishing or ending of a process.

were designated

Highlights the act of officially assigning or appointing something.

were ratified

Suggests formal approval or confirmation, typically in legal or political contexts.

FAQs

How to use "were settled upon" in a sentence?

The phrase "were settled upon" indicates that something has been decided or agreed upon after discussion. For example, "After much debate, the terms of the agreement "were settled upon" by both parties."

What can I say instead of "were settled upon"?

You can use alternatives like "were agreed upon", "were decided upon", or "were determined" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "were settled upon" or "was settled upon"?

"Were settled upon" is used with plural subjects, while "was settled upon" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The terms were settled upon" (plural) vs. "The date was settled upon" (singular).

What's the difference between "were settled upon" and "were based on"?

"Were settled upon" implies a decision or agreement, while "were based on" implies a foundation or reasoning. For instance, "The conditions "were settled upon" after negotiations" (agreement) vs. "The conclusions were based on evidence" (foundation).