what was done

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'what was done' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is most commonly used as a question to ask for details about a task completed by someone. For example: "Can you tell me what was done to fix the broken window?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tells what was done.

The New Yorker

"And that's what was done".

The New York Times

What was done to me?

The New York Times

What was done here?

The New York Times - Books

What was done about it?

The Guardian

He just accepted what was done.

The New York Times

That's what was done in 1953.

The New York Times

But what was done was done.

The New Yorker

What was done to eliminate other factors?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It's what was done in 1975".

The Guardian

It was, that's what was done.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what was done", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the action and why it was significant. Providing context enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is using "what was done" without specifying the agent or the context. Always clarify who did what, and why it matters. For example, instead of saying "Mistakes were made", specify "The team made critical errors during the planning phase".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what was done" typically functions as a noun clause, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig, it correctly refers to actions that have already taken place. The provided examples illustrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what was done" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase frequently used to refer to past actions or events. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a noun clause and is suitable for various contexts, from formal to informal. While prevalent in news and media, it also appears in scientific and general content. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify who performed the action and why it was significant, thus avoiding ambiguity. Remember that similar phrases such as "what had been done" or "the actions taken" can be used to provide semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what had been done

Emphasizes the past perfect tense, focusing on actions completed before a specific point in time.

what has been accomplished

Focuses on the successful completion of tasks or goals.

the actions taken

Highlights specific actions that were performed or implemented.

the steps undertaken

Emphasizes the process or series of actions involved.

the measures implemented

Focuses on the specific measures or policies that were put into effect.

the work completed

Highlights the finished or finalized tasks.

what transpired

Refers to events that occurred or unfolded.

the outcome achieved

Emphasizes the result or consequence of actions.

the changes made

Highlights alterations or modifications that were implemented.

the history of events

Broadly references the series of occurrences and their context.

FAQs

How can I use "what was done" in a sentence?

You can use "what was done" to inquire about past actions or to refer to completed tasks, as in "Tell me exactly "what was done" during the surgery" or "What was done is done, and we need to move forward".

What is a more formal alternative to "what was done"?

In formal contexts, you might prefer alternatives such as "the actions taken", "the measures implemented", or "what has been accomplished" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "what was done" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what was done" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to refer to past actions or events. It serves as a noun clause within a sentence.

What's the difference between "what was done" and "what is done"?

"What was done" refers to actions completed in the past, while "what is done" refers to actions that are currently being performed or are generally done. For instance, ""what was done" yesterday cannot be undone" versus "what is done to improve efficiency is essential".