had been based

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been based" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is an example of the past perfect tense. You can use it to talk about a past event that happened before another past event. For example: Before the company moved to a new building, its operations had been based in the old one for many years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Billions in loans had been based on handshakes.

The New York Times

The company had been based in Dumbo, alongside tech startups.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ybarra, who had been based in London, is the group's last co-head remaining.

The New York Times

The commissioner's letter said the complaint had been based on this article.

The Guardian

It had been based on the origin of some bonds Peluso once used as collateral.

The New Yorker

It had been based in Philadelphia since its founding in 1869.

The New York Times

SoundScan showed that the traditional charts had been based on many misconceptions.

The New Yorker

Originally a student of mathematics and physics, Toulmin had been based in a radar research station.

The Guardian - Books

Thus Grass's demand for honesty had been based on a lie.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Under Start, American inspectors had been based at Russia's Votkinsk missile production factory.

The New York Times

The only foreigner in a team of 200 Afghans, she had been based largely in Jalalabad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been based" when emphasizing that something was formerly situated or reliant on something else, especially when discussing changes or shifts.

Common error

Avoid using "had been based" when a simple past tense ("was based") is sufficient. "Had been based" is most appropriate when describing an action completed before another point in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been based" functions as part of the past perfect passive voice. It indicates a state or condition that existed in the past, prior to another past action or time. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in describing prior states or foundations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Huffington Post

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been based" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, functioning as the past perfect passive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate a foundation or origin that existed before a certain point in the past. It appears most commonly in "News & Media" and "Science", indicating a neutral register. Remember to employ it when establishing a clear sequence of past events, avoiding its use when a simple past tense is sufficient. Consider alternatives like "was founded on" or "was rooted in" for variety. By understanding its nuances and context, you can effectively use "had been based" to add depth and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was founded on

Focuses on the establishment or beginning point.

rested on

Implies a reliance or dependence on a particular thing.

was rooted in

Highlights the origins or deep connections.

was established upon

Highlights the act of setting up or founding something.

was predicated upon

Emphasizes a logical basis or assumption.

was constructed on

Emphasizes the building or creation process.

originated from

Specifies the place or source of origin.

was derived from

Indicates a process of obtaining or developing from something else.

stemmed from

Suggests a cause-and-effect relationship.

was ground in

Suggests a thorough and fundamental basis.

FAQs

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

Use "had been based" to describe that something was based on something else before a specific time in the past. For example, "The initial theory "had been based" on incomplete data, but new research provided more clarity."

What are some alternatives to "had been based"?

You can use alternatives like "was founded on", "was predicated upon", or "was rooted in" depending on the specific context.

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

"Was based" indicates something was based on something else at a specific point in the past. "Had been based" indicates that the basing occurred before another event in the past. For instance, "The study was based on 2022 data" versus "The study "had been based" on old methodology before it was updated."

Is it correct to say "has been based" instead of "had been based"?

The choice between "has been based" and ""had been based"" depends on the timeline. "Has been based" connects something to the present, while "had been based" refers to the past. For example, "The company has been based in London since 2010" versus "The company "had been based" in New York before relocating to London."