In 15 Seconds
- Formal way to say something was changed or updated.
- Uses passive voice to sound objective and professional.
- Perfect for emails, essays, and business reports.
Meaning
This phrase means that changes or improvements were made to a document, plan, or piece of work. It is a polite way to say things were fixed or updated without necessarily blaming anyone for the original mistakes.
Key Examples
3 of 6Emailing a professor
Revisions were made to the thesis based on your feedback.
Revisions were made to the thesis based on your feedback.
Updating a project plan
Several revisions were made to the timeline to ensure we meet the deadline.
Several revisions were made to the timeline to ensure we meet the deadline.
Texting a teammate about a shared doc
Hey, revisions were made to the intro, check it out!
Hey, revisions were made to the intro, check it out!
Cultural Background
The phrase is a hallmark of 'Corporate Speak' and academic writing. It utilizes the passive voice to maintain a neutral, objective tone, which is highly valued in Western professional environments to avoid direct blame or personal bias. It became a standard transition in peer-reviewed journals and legal proceedings during the 20th century.
The Power of Passive
Use this phrase when you want to avoid saying 'You made a mistake.' It focuses on the solution, not the error.
Don't be a Robot
If you are talking to your partner about chores, don't say this. They will think you are acting like their boss!
In 15 Seconds
- Formal way to say something was changed or updated.
- Uses passive voice to sound objective and professional.
- Perfect for emails, essays, and business reports.
What It Means
Revisions were made is a classic piece of professional English. It tells people that a version of something has changed. It uses the passive voice. This means the focus is on the action, not the person. It sounds very objective and calm. It implies that the work is now better than before.
How To Use It
You use this when you want to be professional. It is perfect for emails or meetings. Instead of saying "I fixed your bad writing," you say revisions were made. It keeps the peace in the office. You can use it for essays, contracts, or even dinner plans. It suggests a thoughtful process of polishing and refining.
When To Use It
Use it when you are submitting a second draft. It is great for responding to feedback from a boss. Use it when you want to sound like an expert. It works well in academic papers or legal documents. If you are a designer, use it to show you listened to the client. It’s the "grown-up" way to say you edited something.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this with your best friends at a bar. It sounds way too stiff and robotic there. If you accidentally broke your friend's phone, don't say revisions were made to the screen. That’s just weird. Avoid it when you need to take personal credit for a massive breakthrough. The passive voice hides your hard work! Also, don't use it if you only changed one comma. That’s just being dramatic.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking business culture, we love "softening" language. We avoid direct confrontation to stay polite. Revisions were made is a tool for this. It comes from a history of bureaucracy and academic rigor. It reflects a culture that values the final product over the individual ego. It’s very common in the UK and US corporate worlds.
Common Variations
You might hear minor revisions were made for small changes. If the changes were huge, people say extensive revisions were made. Sometimes people say the text was revised or updates were implemented. These all mean roughly the same thing. They just vary in how much work was actually done. Choose the one that fits your level of effort!
Usage Notes
This is a high-level (C1) expression because it requires comfort with the passive voice and professional register. It is most common in written English.
The Power of Passive
Use this phrase when you want to avoid saying 'You made a mistake.' It focuses on the solution, not the error.
Don't be a Robot
If you are talking to your partner about chores, don't say this. They will think you are acting like their boss!
The 'Polite' Shield
In English-speaking offices, this phrase is often a 'shield' to protect people's feelings while still getting the work fixed.
Examples
6Revisions were made to the thesis based on your feedback.
Revisions were made to the thesis based on your feedback.
Shows respect for the professor's suggestions.
Several revisions were made to the timeline to ensure we meet the deadline.
Several revisions were made to the timeline to ensure we meet the deadline.
Explains a change in schedule neutrally.
Hey, revisions were made to the intro, check it out!
Hey, revisions were made to the intro, check it out!
A bit formal for a text, but works for work-friends.
Revisions were made to the recipe after the first tasting.
Revisions were made to the recipe after the first tasting.
Sounds like the chef is very serious about quality.
Sorry for the late reply, revisions were made to my weekend plans.
Sorry for the late reply, revisions were made to my weekend plans.
Uses formal language for a silly personal situation.
Please note that revisions were made to clause four.
Please note that revisions were made to clause four.
Standard legal and business phrasing.
Test Yourself
Choose the best word to complete the formal sentence.
After the meeting, several ___ were made to the final proposal.
'Revisions' is the most professional and standard term for changes in a business context.
Complete the passive voice structure.
The draft was reviewed and revisions ___ made.
Since 'revisions' is plural, you must use 'were' to be grammatically correct.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Revisions were made'
I changed some stuff.
I fixed the slides.
The document was updated.
I've updated the file.
Revisions were made.
Revisions were made to the report.
Where to use 'Revisions were made'
Academic Paper
Addressing peer review comments.
Business Email
Sending a new version of a contract.
Software Dev
Describing changes in a changelog.
Legal Context
Modifying terms of service.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesAfter the meeting, several ___ were made to the final proposal.
'Revisions' is the most professional and standard term for changes in a business context.
The draft was reviewed and revisions ___ made.
Since 'revisions' is plural, you must use 'were' to be grammatically correct.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt means that a document or plan has been edited or changed to be better. It is a formal way of saying 'it was updated'.
If you want to take credit, say I made revisions. If you want to sound objective or neutral, use revisions were made.
Usually, no. It is mostly for writing, plans, or digital work. You wouldn't say revisions were made to a broken chair; you'd say it was 'repaired'.
It depends. In a tech startup, it might sound a bit stiff, but it's never 'wrong' in any professional setting.
Revisions implies a thoughtful process of improvement. Changes is more general and can be anything.
You can add a prepositional phrase, like revisions were made to the second paragraph.
No, because 'revisions' is plural, you must use the plural verb were.
Only if you are texting a colleague or being slightly sarcastic/humorous with a friend.
Sometimes! In politics, people use the passive voice to avoid saying who made a mistake. Use it carefully.
You could say a major overhaul or significant modifications.
Related Phrases
Back to the drawing board
To start over because the previous attempt failed.
Fine-tuning
Making very small, precise adjustments.
Polishing the draft
Making final, minor improvements to writing.
Under review
Currently being looked at for potential changes.
