what took place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what took place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an event or situation that occurred in the past. Example: "The investigation aimed to uncover what took place during the meeting that led to the decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What took place.

The New York Times

–What took place?

The New York Times

That is what took place.

Yale University

What took place was an absolute breakdown.

The New Yorker

"This is truly what took place".

The New Yorker

We know what took place.

The Guardian

What took place next, was quite remarkable.

The Washington Post

The following describes what took place.

Harvard Business Review

It's such an affront, what took place.

The New York Times

"We want to examine what took place.

The New York Times - Sports

"And that's what took place today".

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing for a broad audience, consider using the more common "what happened" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "what took place" in very casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what took place" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a verb. It refers to a specific event or series of events that have occurred. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts requiring a factual account.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what took place" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to inquire about or describe past events. According to Ludwig, it's frequently used in journalistic and academic contexts, lending a somewhat formal tone. When writing, consider the audience; simpler alternatives like "what happened" may be preferable in casual settings. However, for objective reporting or analytical discussions, "what took place" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what happened

A more direct and commonly used alternative, suitable for most contexts.

what occurred

A slightly more formal synonym for "what happened".

the events that transpired

A more formal and elaborate way of referring to a series of events.

the sequence of events

Focuses on the order in which things happened, suitable when chronology is important.

the situation that unfolded

Emphasizes the gradual revelation or development of a particular state of affairs.

the circumstances surrounding

Highlights the conditions and factors that were present during an event.

the incident that occurred

Specifically refers to a particular event, often one that is notable or problematic.

what came to pass

A more literary and somewhat archaic way of saying "what happened".

the developments in

Useful when referring to changes or progress in a specific area or situation.

the proceedings

Often used in legal or formal contexts to refer to a series of actions or events.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "what took place"?

A simpler and more common alternative is "what happened". It's suitable for most everyday situations.

Is "what took place" formal or informal?

The phrase "what took place" leans toward the formal side. In casual conversation, "what happened" is usually more appropriate.

How can I use "what took place" in a sentence?

You can use "what took place" to refer to an event or situation in the past, like "The investigation aimed to uncover what took place during the meeting."

What is the difference between "what took place" and "what occurred"?

Both phrases are similar, but "what occurred" is generally considered slightly more formal than "what took place".