The trial was conducted

You will almost always see this phrase in formal reports, news articles, or academic papers. Because it uses the passive voice (was conducted), the person doing the work usually comes at the end of the sentence or is omitted entirely. For example, you might say, The trial was conducted over a six-month period. This puts the focus on the time, not the people. If you want to mention the team, you add by. For example, The trial was conducted by the university's research department. You can also specify the location or the method. The trial was conducted online to reach more participants. Just remember that conducted is a heavy word. You wouldn't use it for making a sandwich. You use it for things that require a clipboard and a lot of focus. It's like the difference between "throwing a party" and "conducting a gala."

This phrase is a solid 9 out of 10 on the formality scale. It belongs in the world of "very formal" and "formal" English. You’ll find it in the Methodology section of a thesis or the front page of the *New York Times*. In a casual setting, it sounds a bit like you're trying too hard. If your friend asks how your new diet is going, don't say, "The trial was conducted with great success." They might think you've been replaced by a robot. Use it when you are writing an email to a boss, presenting a project at school, or talking about a serious news event. It's the linguistic equivalent of wearing a crisp, ironed suit. It commands respect and suggests that the information following it is factual and verified. Even on social media, you’d only see this in a serious thread or a post by a professional organization like the WHO or a tech company announcing a new feature rollout.

You’ve probably seen this in those fast-talking disclaimers at the end of pharmaceutical commercials. They say things like, the trial was conducted on a group of 500 volunteers. It’s also a staple of true-crime documentaries on Netflix. A narrator might say, The murder trial was conducted in a small town in Ohio. In the tech world, when a company like Apple or Google tests a new AI, their press release will likely state, The trial was conducted across multiple server locations. Even in sports, if there is a drug test or a disciplinary hearing, the official report will say, The trial was conducted in accordance with league rules. It’s the standard language for anyone who has to prove they did their job correctly. It's also great for sounding like a pro in a Zoom meeting when you're explaining why a new marketing strategy didn't work—blame the "conditions under which the trial was conducted!"

Reach for this phrase when you are in a professional environment and need to sound authoritative. It is perfect for the introduction or conclusion of a formal report. If you are writing a lab report for biology class, this is your best friend. If you are a lawyer or working in a legal office, you will use this every single day. It's also the right choice for high-stakes business presentations. If you've spent three months testing a new app, saying the trial was conducted makes that time feel valuable and professional. Use it when the process matters just as much as the result. It’s also useful when you want to remain neutral. By not saying "I did the test," you avoid sounding like you're bragging. It keeps the focus on the science and the facts, which is exactly what a C1-level speaker should aim for in formal writing.

Avoid this phrase in text messages unless you are being ironic. If you tell your partner, "The trial of the new dishwasher was conducted last night," they might think you’re mad at them. It’s too stiff for casual conversations. Don't use it for small, informal things. You don't conduct a trial of a new pair of shoes at the mall; you just "try them on." You don't conduct a trial of a new coffee shop; you just "check it out." Using this phrase for trivial matters makes you sound like a character in a 19th-century novel. Also, don't use it if the event wasn't actually a "trial." If it was just a meeting or a talk, conducted might still work, but trial would be confusing. Keep it for experiments, tests, and legal cases where there is a clear "pass/fail" or "guilty/innocent" outcome. Otherwise, you’re just using big words for no reason.

The most common slip-up is trying to use the active voice incorrectly. Learners often say, ✗ The trial conducted last week → ✓ The trial was conducted last week. Without the was, it sounds like the trial itself walked into the room and started doing things! Another mistake is using the wrong verb. ✗ The trial was made → ✓ The trial was conducted. In English, we conduct or carry out trials; we don't "make" them. Also, watch out for ✗ The trial was performed. While technically okay in some science contexts, conducted is much more standard for the overall management of the event. Finally, don't confuse it with a "trail." ✗ The trail was conducted → ✓ The trial was conducted. One is a path in the woods; the other is a serious test. Unless you are testing a path in the woods, stick to the i!

If you want to sound slightly less like a textbook, you can use carried out. The trial was carried out in Berlin. It’s still formal, but it feels a bit more active. For something very technical, you might see executed. The clinical trial was executed according to the protocol. In a legal context, you might hear held. The trial was held in the High Court. If the trial is still happening, you would say, The trial is being conducted. To emphasize that it was done well, you can add adverbs: The trial was rigorously conducted or The trial was independently conducted. These variations allow you to add a little flavor to your writing while keeping that professional C1 edge. Think of conducted as the base model and these variations as the optional upgrades for your linguistic car.

Is this only for science? No! It's for law, business, and tech too. Can I use it for a pilot episode of a TV show? Not really, you’d say "the pilot was filmed." Does it have to be past tense? No, you can say the trial will be conducted. Is it British or American? Both! It’s universal formal English. Do I always need was? If you’re using the passive voice, yes. Can I say "I conducted the trial"? Yes, that's the active version and it's great for resumes! Is it okay for emails? Yes, if the email is professional. What's the shortest way to say this? "Tested." But "tested" doesn't sound nearly as cool or expensive as the trial was conducted. Stick with the long version if you want to impress your boss or that cute PhD student at the library.