had been appointed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been appointed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone was assigned a position or role in the past, often before another event occurred. Example: "She had been appointed as the new director before the company underwent major changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

No interim chief had been appointed Monday.

The New York Times

He said he had been appointed its chairman.

The New York Times

His brother Philip had been appointed secretary of Antwerp.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Frank Zappa had been appointed "foreign trade representative".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He had been appointed by President Bill Clinton.

The New York Times

Flynn, who had been appointed national-security adviser.

The New Yorker

Mr. Leonard had been appointed Ms. Stoeckley's attorney a few days after her testimony in 1979.

The New York Times

A police spokesman said a judge had been appointed to lead the inquiry.

The New York Times

Later that month it was announced that Jarrett had been appointed senior adviser to Obama.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The emperor appointed its members (under the republic they had been appointed by the censor).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Musyoka, who had been appointed as vice president in January, retained his position.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been appointed", ensure the context clearly indicates the time frame relative to another past event. This helps establish the sequence of events for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had been appointed" when simply stating a past appointment without reference to a prior event. In such cases, "was appointed" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been appointed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that someone received an appointment before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples showcasing its application across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been appointed" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe an appointment that occurred before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI validates its appropriate usage. It's frequently found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other sources where establishing a clear chronology is important. When using the phrase, ensure that the context establishes the relevant past time frame and consider using alternatives like "was named" or "had received the appointment" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had received the appointment

Highlights the act of being given the position.

was named

Suggests a more public or official announcement of the appointment.

had been selected

Emphasizes the choice made from a group of candidates.

had been chosen

Similar to 'had been selected', but can imply a more personal or less formal selection process.

was designated

Uses a different verb to indicate a formal assignment.

had been designated

Implies a formal or official assignment to a role or task.

was made

A simpler, more direct way of stating the appointment.

had assumed the role

Highlights the acceptance of the duties associated with the position.

had taken office

Focuses on the act of assuming the responsibilities of the position.

was installed

Implies a more ceremonial or formal induction into the position.

FAQs

How do I use "had been appointed" in a sentence?

Use "had been appointed" to describe an appointment that occurred before another event in the past. For example, "She "had been appointed" director before the company went public".

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

You can use alternatives like "was named", "was selected", or "was designated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been appointed" or "was appointed"?

"Had been appointed" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, while "was appointed" simply describes a past event. Use "had been appointed" when establishing a sequence of past actions.

What's the difference between "had been appointed" and "had been assigned"?

"Had been assigned" generally refers to tasks or duties, whereas "had been appointed" refers to a position or role. For example, a lawyer can be assigned to the case, but is appointed as a judge.