had been appropriated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been appropriated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was taken or used without permission in the past, often referring to cultural or intellectual property. Example: "The artwork had been appropriated by the designer without crediting the original artist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Arts

Politics

History

Law

Technology

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The names of Uranus's children, the Titans, already had been appropriated for Saturn's moons).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's a rental contract for his own home, which had been appropriated by the state.

The Economist

This was the first time that kind of technique had been appropriated".

The Guardian - Film

If the word had been appropriated by men, "couldn't we, then, reappropriate it, take it back?" she asked.

The New Yorker

Comical yet earnest, the Superman paintings at Edward Thorp look as if they had been appropriated from a child's portfolio.

The New York Times - Arts

After listening to the podcasts, Ms. Epstein said she did not think that her company's scripts had been appropriated.

The New York Times

There were several motivations for secrecy: no actual funds, for example, had been appropriated for government gold-hunting.

The New Yorker

The limestone walls were in good repair, the gracefully carved details around one small window suggesting that some building materials had been appropriated from the abbey.

The New York Times

That wasn't the first time this aria's spellbinding properties had been appropriated beyond the operatic stage, nor was it the last.

Independent

I enjoyed the music, but what I liked more was that it was emitted by equipment that looks as if it had been appropriated from an Army base.

The New York Times - Arts

By the next year, Ms. Moss's boyish, undone, insistently "real" look had been appropriated by a generation of self-professed rebels.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation of appropriation. It often carries a negative implication of unfair or unethical taking.

Common error

Avoid using "had been appropriated" when a neutral term like "used" or "taken" would be more appropriate. "Appropriated" often suggests disapproval or illegitimacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been appropriated" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of taking or using something without permission was completed at some point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Arts

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been appropriated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that signifies something has been taken or used without authorization. As Ludwig AI confirms, it often carries a negative connotation. While its register ranges from neutral to formal, its primary communicative purpose is to express disapproval or assign blame. The most common contexts for its usage are news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. When a more neutral tone is desired, consider alternatives like "had been taken" or "had been used".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been taken

Focuses on the act of taking something, without necessarily implying improper use.

had been seized

Emphasizes a forceful or official taking of something.

had been commandeered

Suggests a temporary taking for military or public use.

had been expropriated

Implies a formal or legal taking, often by a government.

had been usurped

Highlights the illegitimate or unlawful seizure of power or position.

had been requisitioned

Indicates a formal demand for something, often during wartime.

had been hijacked

Suggests a sudden and illegal seizure, often of a vehicle or plan.

had been adopted

Emphasizes acceptance and usage, possibly with modification, without necessarily implying taking without permission.

had been co-opted

Implies using something for a different or unintended purpose, often political.

had been borrowed

Focuses on temporary use, usually with the intention of returning.

FAQs

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

Use "had been appropriated" to describe a situation where something has been taken or used, often without permission and usually with negative connotations. For example, "The melody "had been appropriated" without giving credit to the original composer."

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

You can use alternatives like "had been taken", "had been seized", or "had been usurped" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "had been appropriated" and "had been adopted"?

"Had been appropriated" implies taking something, often without permission, while "had been adopted" suggests a voluntary acceptance or usage. Appropriation often carries a negative connotation.

When is it appropriate to use "had been appropriated"?

Use "had been appropriated" when you want to emphasize that something was taken or used unfairly or without proper authorization. It's suitable when describing the unauthorized use of intellectual property, cultural elements, or funds.