Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[b7lake]

(1)The panel and the attorneys representing both sides of the dispute
reconciled dramatically just before arbitration began.
(2)The panel and the attorneys representing both sides of the dispute
were reconciled dramatically just before arbitration began.

Are both sentences correct?

Thanks for your help!

[redset]

Both are fine, but they have slightly different meanings - the second sentence uses the passive form, so it doesn't explain who made the reconciliation happen, and it seems to imply that someone or something outside the group was responsible. The first sentence sounds as though the attorneys and panel resolved their differences by themselves.