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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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works went through

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "works went through" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that certain works or tasks have been completed or processed, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The works went through several revisions before the final version was approved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

But researchers from publisher Elgar Works went through Elgar's sketchbooks of material destined for the cantata.

News & Media

BBC

Researchers from publisher Elgar Works went through Elgar's sketchbooks of material destined for the cantata, for their latest publication, as part of The Elgar Complete Edition.

News & Media

BBC

Dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities for writing pieces dealing with social issues she later switched to audio-visual media; she has also cited the intense amount of editing that her works went through as a reason for the change, noting that there "always seemed to be a wide space between the reality that happened and the 'reality' that was reported".

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The work went through many different phases and names.

Their collaborative and individual work went through three main stages: Art Nouveau before 1917, Constructivism in the 1920s and early 1930s, and, later, Soviet Neoclassicism.

I got interested in just doodling, and my work went through a really ugly patch for a while when I learned how to use oil paint.

Over the years his work went through a number of style changes, arriving, in the late 1950's, at hard-edge painting that, in contrast to the Abstract Expressionism of the New York School, restrainedly emphasized the interplay of colors with geometric forms.

News & Media

The New York Times

The work went through three editions within 5 years, each with substantial changes.

Science

SEP

… The two white women that I was with from work went through.

News & Media

Huffington Post

The work went through ebbs and flows, making me extremely busy at times and not terribly busy other times.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Altogether, the work went through thirteen different revisions, and saw over 50 children audition for the lead roles, before Neo decided to send I Not Stupid into production.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing processes, prefer active voice constructions for clarity and directness. For example, instead of "works went through revisions", use "the team revised the works".

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "works went through" when you can clearly identify the actor performing the action. Clarity is improved by specifying who performed the action, for example, "editors revised the works".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

76%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "works went through" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that some action was performed on "works". However, it's typically considered grammatically awkward. As Ludwig AI indicates, it would be better to specify who performed the action. The term is not natural in a formal context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "works went through" does appear in various contexts such as News & Media, Wiki, and Science, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect and suggests better alternatives. Due to its awkward phrasing, it's generally not recommended for formal writing. Using more precise and active constructions improves clarity and conveys the intended meaning more effectively. It is suggested that instead, one specifies the actor that performed the action on the works, to make sentences more formal.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "works went through"?

Consider using phrases such as "projects underwent", "tasks were processed", or "items were subjected to" for better clarity and grammatical correctness.

How can I rephrase "works went through" to emphasize who performed the action?

Instead of "works went through revisions", specify the actor. For example, "the editors revised the works" clearly identifies who performed the revision.

Is "works went through" appropriate in formal writing?

No, "works went through" is generally not appropriate in formal writing due to its awkward phrasing. Opt for more precise and active constructions, such as "the committee reviewed the documents".

Which is more correct, "the works went through editing" or "the works were edited"?

"The works were edited" is more concise and grammatically sound compared to "the works went through editing". Using a passive construction clarifies that the works were the recipients of the action.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: