had been applied

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been applied" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a past perfect verb tense that is used when referring to an action that occurred prior to another action in the past. For example, "The new safety protocols had been applied before the accident occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, no professional filter had been applied.

The Guardian - Music

Leeches had been applied but could not deter his decline.

The Guardian - Books

Several dissidents strongly denied that such pressure had been applied.

The New York Times - Arts

The order of the boot had been applied.

The Guardian - Tech

A large tattoo had been applied to his left calf".

The New York Times - Books

This was five months after the poison had been applied.

The New Yorker

The same sort of reasoning had been applied to Byrdak.

The New York Times - Sports

Electric shocks had been applied to his back and genitals repeatedly throughout those forty-eight hours.

The New Yorker

Hardin had been applied with full body bronzing make-up to emulate an African woman.

The Guardian - Opinion

He also told the court that legal aid had been applied for.

The Guardian

What if this procedure had been applied in the UK last week?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been applied" to clearly indicate that an action or process was completed before a specific point in the past. This clarifies the sequence of events and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been applied" when referring to a past action that precedes another past event. "Has been applied" indicates present perfect tense, which does not convey the correct temporal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been applied" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action was completed at some point in the past before another action also in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a grammatically correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been applied" is a past perfect passive construction used to denote actions completed before another event in the past. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and versatile. Its prevalence across science, news, and formal business contexts makes it suitable for diverse writing needs. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the sequence of past events to avoid misinterpretations. For similar meanings, consider alternatives like "had been implemented" or "was previously utilized" depending on the specific context. The phrase is very common and well-regarded in authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been implemented

Highlights the action of putting a plan or system into effect before a certain time.

had been put into effect

Indicates the process of enforcing or activating a rule, law, or plan.

was previously utilized

Focuses on prior use, replacing "applied" with a synonym for utilization.

had been enforced

Specifically denotes that a rule or law was actively made sure to be followed.

had been administered

Emphasizes the act of formally giving or applying something, such as treatment or a test.

had been brought to bear

Implies that a specific influence or force was exerted.

had been executed

Suggests that something was carried out or performed before a certain point in time.

had been subjected to

Focuses on the experience of undergoing a certain action or process.

was in effect prior to

This alternative emphasizes the timing and the fact of having effect.

had seen the implementation of

Highlights the act of observing the application of a system or rule.

FAQs

How to use "had been applied" in a sentence?

"Had been applied" is used to describe an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "The new policy "had been applied" before the incident occurred."

What can I say instead of "had been applied"?

Alternatives include "was previously utilized", "had been implemented", or "had been administered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been applied" or "has been applied"?

"Had been applied" is used for actions completed before a point in the past, while "has been applied" is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have relevance to the present. The correct choice depends on the timeline you are describing.

What's the difference between "had been applied" and "was applied"?

"Had been applied" indicates an action completed before another action in the past, emphasizing the sequence. "Was applied" simply states that an action occurred in the past without specifying its relation to another past action.