had already been set up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had already been set up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was established or arranged prior to a certain point in time. Example: "By the time the meeting started, the conference room had already been set up with all the necessary equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

In Berkeley, California, an organization claiming to be "the original Copwatch group" had already been set up in 1990.

The New York Times - Tech

"We are not talking about miracle cures," says their oncologist friend, who was initially skeptical about expanding the physical therapy that had already been set up for Remo.

The New Yorker

By the time I arrived, on Friday night, the non-suite had already been set up as the weekend's well-stocked, if low-budget, bar.

The New Yorker

Cameras, both still and video, had already been set up and there was a circle of chairs waiting, but they made sure they had all hugged and welcomed each other before taking a seat.

The New York Times

Allan Horsfall believes homosexuality was tacked on very late in the day to the business of a committee that had already been set up to look into the legal status of prostitution.

The Guardian

A year ago, an email sent in error to the Guardian exposed that a secret taskforce, named Project Bookend, had already been set up to consider the financial shocks from Brexit.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"I think it will be received well," said IHS Global Insight analyst Sarah Hassan in London, who said Washington had already been setting up a favorable environment for the speech in the Middle East by showing a more hard-line stance on Israeli settlements.

Forbes

Two compensation funds have already been set up in Switzerland.

The Economist

Internet cafés based on Ndiyo's technology have already been set up in Bangladesh and South Africa.

The Economist

Twenty-four free schools have already been set up and 70 more are in the pipeline.

The Guardian

A world consortium of experts, including Lyn Evans, has already been set up to create plans.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had already been set up", ensure the context clearly establishes the point in time before which the setup occurred. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the narrative flow.

Common error

Avoid using "had already been set up" when the prior action isn't clearly established in the past. Using simpler past tense constructions like "was already set up" or "had been set up" can be more appropriate if the sequence isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had already been set up" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action of setting up was completed before a specific point in the past. This is supported by Ludwig AI which considers this grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had already been set up" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something was established or arranged prior to a particular time in the past. It finds its use in various contexts like news, science and formal writing where clarity and sequencing are important.

While several alternatives exist, such as "had been established previously" or "was already in place", choosing the right one depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to maintain clarity in your writing by ensuring the time frame is well-established when employing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been established previously

Replaces "set up" with "established" and "already" with "previously", focusing on the act of establishing something at an earlier time.

had been arranged beforehand

Substitutes "set up" with "arranged" and "already" with "beforehand", emphasizing the prior arrangement of something.

had been prepared in advance

Replaces "set up" with "prepared" and "already" with "in advance", highlighting the advance preparation of something.

had been created earlier

Focuses on the creation aspect, replacing "set up" with "created" and "already" with "earlier."

was already in place

Simplifies the phrase, indicating that something was already functioning or available.

had been organized previously

Emphasizes the organizational aspect, indicating that something had been previously organized.

had been put in position beforehand

Highlights the physical placement of something, indicating it had been put in position before a certain time.

had been constituted before

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "set up" with "constituted" and "already" with "before".

had been founded previously

Focuses on the founding or establishment of an organization or institution.

had been initiated already

Emphasizes the start or initiation of something before a specific point in time.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had already been set up" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives like "had been established previously" or "had been constituted before". These options provide a more sophisticated and professional feel.

Is there a simpler way to say "had already been set up"?

Yes, you can use simpler phrases like "was already in place" or "had been arranged beforehand". These options are easier to understand and can be more appropriate in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "had already been set up" and "was already set up"?

"Had already been set up" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. "Was already set up" simply indicates a state of being in the past, without explicitly linking it to another past event. The former is past perfect, while the latter is simple past.

When is it appropriate to use "had already been set up" instead of "was set up"?

Use "had already been set up" when you need to emphasize that the action of setting up occurred before another event in the past. If the sequence of events isn't important, "was set up" is sufficient.