had been begun

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been begun" is grammatically correct but somewhat awkward in usage in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that an action was initiated in the past and is relevant to a later point in time. Example: "The project had been begun before the funding was cut off, leaving many tasks incomplete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The cathedral of Florence itself had been begun in the Gothic style by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She adhered to the quasi-socialist policies of industrial development that had been begun by her father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the end of June, only 143,000 trial modifications had been begun, the Treasury Department now estimates.

The New York Times

The decorations had been begun in 1447 by the elderly Bicci di Lorenzo, who died in 1452; Piero presumably was retained to complete the work shortly thereafter.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I.," a futuristic labor of love that had been begun by Stanley Kubrick and that Mr. Spielberg took up after Kubrick died.

The New York Times

In 2008 he completed and published a novel, The Last Theorem, which had been begun by Arthur C Clarke before his death.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Altay Goyushov, a historian and one of Azerbaijan's leading public intellectuals says he had been beginning to feel safer.

The Guardian

"We had been beginning to think about name-your-price for a whole shopping basket," he said.

The New York Times

Up until this point, Washbrook had been beginning to find some fluency and was striking the ball confidently.

Wikipedia

In addition, a dorm renovation project has been begun.

The New York Times

Much else has been begun, and all against tireless obstruction from some of Mr Ecevit's coalition partners.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider using simpler alternatives like "had started" or "had commenced" for clearer and more concise writing. This can improve readability, especially in less formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "had been begun" when a simpler past perfect tense (e.g., "had started") would suffice. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound convoluted and less engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been begun" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action was initiated at some point in the past and completed before another point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig, the structure is grammatically correct, but its usage might be considered somewhat awkward compared to active voice constructions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been begun" is grammatically correct and indicates that an action of starting something took place before a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms its validity, but the tool also suggests that simpler alternatives, such as "had started" or "had commenced", are often preferred for clarity and conciseness. The passive voice construction can sometimes make writing sound more convoluted, particularly in informal settings. Though it appears across various sources, it is most frequent in News & Media and Encyclopedias contexts. Thus, while "had been begun" is valid, consider whether a more direct alternative might better suit your writing style and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had started

Replaces "begun" with a more common and straightforward synonym, simplifying the phrase.

had commenced

Substitutes "begun" with a more formal synonym, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

was initiated

Shifts the focus to the act of initiation, implying a formal beginning.

was launched

Suggests a more active and deliberate start, often used for projects or campaigns.

had its genesis

Emphasizes the origin or initial development of something.

had its origins

Focuses on the historical roots or initial causes of something.

was set in motion

Highlights the action of starting a process or series of events.

had been initiated earlier

Adds emphasis on the timing of the initiation with respect to the focal point of the sentence.

had its start

Focuses on the initial phase or commencement of an activity or event.

was underway

Indicates that the process or activity has already commenced and is currently in progress.

FAQs

What is a simpler alternative to "had been begun"?

You can often replace "had been begun" with more direct alternatives like "had started" or "had commenced" depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "had been begun" grammatically correct?

Yes, "had been begun" is grammatically correct, but it can sound somewhat awkward or overly formal in certain contexts. Ludwig confirms its usage in a variety of reputable sources.

How can I make my writing sound less convoluted when using "had been begun"?

Consider whether the passive voice is necessary. In many cases, rewriting the sentence in the active voice or using a simpler verb phrase can improve clarity. For example, instead of "The project had been begun by the team", try "The team "started the project"".

What's the difference between "had been begun" and "had begun"?

"Had been begun" is in the passive voice, emphasizing the action being done to something. "Had begun" is in the active voice, emphasizing the subject performing the action. Using "had begun" is typically more concise and direct.