Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

My sentence looks something like this:

Immediately after the task was complete an interview took place.

I'm trying to think of a good alternative to took place. So far all I can think of is happened and occurred, but they don't fit very well.

share|improve this question
3  
Did you check a thesaurus for happened or occurred? Also, we don't know what you want special about the replacement, so all we would be doing is repeating thesaurus entries to you anyway. – Mitch Apr 25 '12 at 15:03
@Mitch yes I've checked both words and I haven't found anything particularly suitable. I feel like more than one word may be necessary to convey what I am trying to say. – Alex Apr 25 '12 at 15:05
3  
Forget everything about what you've heard about not using the passive voice (this is good advice anyway). This is a situation which seems to require the passive. How about "... an interview was conducted". – Peter Shor Apr 25 '12 at 15:08
@Mitch the replacement does not need to be special, I have simply used took place in the preceding sentence, so I'm looking for an alternative. IMO the two alternatives I've suggested do not read well. – Alex Apr 25 '12 at 15:10
@PeterShor that's perfect, thank you. Add that as an answer and I'll accept it. – Alex Apr 25 '12 at 15:12
show 2 more comments

5 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Forget everything about what you've heard about not using the passive voice (this is good advice anyway). This is a situation which seems to require the passive. How about "... an interview was conducted" (or maybe held)?

share|improve this answer
up vote 11 down vote

How about ensued?

Immediately after the task was complete an interview ensued.

share|improve this answer
up vote 3 down vote

Turning the sentence around works:

Subjects were interviewed immediately after completing the task.

or

Subjects were interviewed immediately upon task completion.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

Immediately after the task was complete there was an interview.

or

X was interviewed as soon as zie had finished the task.

share|improve this answer
up vote 0 down vote

Possible answers:

  • Immediately after the task was complete an interview followed.
  • Immediately after the task was complete an interview turned up.
  • Immediately after the task was complete an interview was conducted.
share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.