What Does "is settled" Mean?
- The collocation "is settled" has several related meanings, all revolving around the idea of finality and resolution. It can mean that a decision has been made, an agreement has been reached, a matter has been concluded, or a situation has stabilized.
- The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "settled" relates to the verb "to settle" (meaning to resolve or decide), the passive construction "is settled" carries a stronger connotation of finality than simply saying something "settles."
- Register: Neutral to formal. It can be used in everyday conversation, but it is also common in news reporting, legal contexts, and academic writing.
How to Use It
- Grammatical pattern: verb (is) + past participle (settled). It functions as a passive construction.
- Typical objects/subjects: "The matter is settled," "The case is settled," "The debate is settled." It is often followed by prepositions like "in" (He is settled in) or "down" (He is settled down).
- The components cannot be separated in the core meaning of resolution. However, with phrasal verb extensions like "settled down" or "settled in," separation is possible (though less common): "He is finally settled down after years of travel."
- What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong auxiliary verb (e.g., "was settled" when the present tense is intended), using an active voice construction when the passive is needed (e.g., "The committee settled the matter" vs. "The matter is settled by the committee"), or misusing the preposition with phrasal extensions (e.g., "He is settled on" instead of "He is settled in").
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from is settled on Ludwig.guru.
"Roe is settled law." — The New Yorker
"The matter is settled." — The Economist
"The divorce is settled." — The Guardian
"Everything is settled now." — The New York Times
"The case is settled out of court." — Independent
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/is+settled
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| is decided |
A more general term for a decision being made; can be used interchangeably in many contexts. |
| is resolved |
Emphasizes the solving of a problem or dispute; often used in formal settings. |
| is finalized |
Highlights the completion of a process or agreement; common in business and legal contexts. |
| is concluded |
Indicates the end of a discussion or process; often used in formal reports or summaries. |
| is determined |
Focuses on the act of finding something out definitely; implies investigation or analysis. |
| is agreed upon |
Highlights the mutual consent or agreement of multiple parties; often used in contract negotiations. |
| is set in stone |
Indicates that something is unchangeable and permanent; more informal and emphatic. |
Common Mistakes
- Using the active voice instead of the passive: Saying "They settled the issue" instead of "The issue is settled" when the focus is on the issue itself, not the actors.
- Incorrect tense usage: Using "was settled" when the present state of being settled is relevant, rather than the past act of settling.
- Learners often struggle with the correct use of passive voice or may confuse it with similar phrases using 'settle'. For example, using "The matter settles" (active voice, intransitive) instead of "The matter is settled" (passive voice).
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Meaning |
Grammatical Pattern |
Register |
| is settled |
Resolved, decided, no longer in question |
Verb (is) + past participle (settled) |
Neutral to formal |
FAQs
Can the parts of "is settled" be separated?
No, the core components of "is settled" cannot be separated when referring to a decision or resolution. The phrase functions as a unit in the passive voice. However, when used with extensions like "settled down" or "settled in," separation is sometimes possible, though less common.
How is "is settled" different from "is decided"?
While both imply a decision has been made, "is settled" often carries a stronger sense of finality and stability. "Is decided" simply indicates that a decision exists, whereas "is settled" suggests that the decision is firm and unlikely to change.
What's the correct way to say something is resolved, avoiding common mistakes with "is settled"?
To correctly express that something is resolved, use the passive voice construction "is settled." Avoid the active voice construction "The matter settles," which implies that the matter resolves itself without intervention. Remember that the passive voice focuses on the subject being acted upon, while the active voice emphasizes the actor.