had been assured

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been assured" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone received a guarantee or promise in the past, often in a context where the assurance is relevant to a current situation. Example: "She had been assured that the project would be completed on time, but delays occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Of this I had been assured by my parents.

The New Yorker

He said he had been assured it had not.

The Guardian

She said she had been assured that they were.

The New York Times

Mr. Elbaz said he had been assured by his lawyer that the investment was sound.

The New York Times

But he refused medical treatment until he had been assured that his troops were safe.

The New York Times - Arts

Some, it was reported, had been assured that the business was sound just a day earlier.

The Economist

I had been assured that an urn would be in place by 6 30.

The New York Times - Arts

They had been assured by the authorities that they would allow them to meet him.

The Guardian

Kushner said he had been assured that the Nets' owners would sell.

The New York Times - Sports

Alinejad had been assured: "My husband said, look to God and let's see what happens".

The Guardian

He said that the manufacturers had been assured that they would get some form of aid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been assured" when you want to emphasize that someone received a guarantee or promise in the past, especially when that assurance is relevant to the current situation or outcome.

Common error

Don't assume that because someone "had been assured" of something, it is necessarily true. Use this phrase even when the assurance later proves to be false or unreliable to convey the initial expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been assured" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone received a guarantee or promise. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been assured" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that someone received a guarantee or promise, predominantly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While it conveys a sense of reliance, it's important to remember that an assurance does not always equate to truth. Alternatives like "had been promised" or "had been told" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been guaranteed

Focuses on a formal promise or warranty.

had been given an assurance

Formal way of saying someone received a guarantee.

had been promised

Emphasizes the act of making a promise.

had received confirmation

Stresses the receipt of verification.

had been given an undertaking

Highlights a formal pledge or commitment.

had been informed

Highlights the act of formally notifying someone.

had been told

Neutral way of conveying information received.

had been given confidence

Focuses on instilling trust or belief.

had been led to believe

Suggests the assurance might be questionable or misleading.

had been persuaded

Emphasizes convincing someone to believe something.

FAQs

How can I use "had been assured" in a sentence?

Use "had been assured" to indicate that someone received a guarantee or promise in the past. For example, "She "had been assured" that the project would be completed on time."

What's the difference between "had been assured" and "had been promised"?

"Had been assured" implies a greater level of certainty or guarantee than "had been promised". A promise may be less formal than an assurance.

What are some alternatives to "had been assured"?

You can use alternatives like "had been guaranteed", "had been told", or "had received confirmation" depending on the context.

Is "had been assured" formal or informal?

"Had been assured" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts, often appearing in news reports and professional communications.