had been born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been born" is correct and usable in written English.
The phrase is used when referring to an event that happened in the past before another event, usually in the past perfect tense. Example sentence: By the time I graduated, I had been born in four different countries.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

That should have been 1,000km.

The Guardian

Mexico had been 0-24-1 0-24-1 0-24-1nited Stagainst

The New York Times - Sports

That had been a week ago.

The New Yorker

This must've been 1996.

The New York Times - Magazine

It should have been K-J-10-5-3 K-J-10-5-3 K-J-10-5-3 K-J-10-5-3 K-J-10-5-3

The New York Times

That must have been 1915 or 1916.

Independent

There must have been 5,000 doors.

The New York Times

—On "What might have been", Jan 28th 2014.

The Economist

It could have been 1955 again.

The New York Times

Five years later would have been 2003.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

It must have been Christmas Eve.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been born" to clearly indicate that the birth occurred before another event in the past. This helps establish a sequence of events in your narrative or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense ("was born") when you need to emphasize that the birth preceded another past event. Using "had been born" ensures the correct temporal relationship is clear to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been born" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. It indicates an action (birth) completed before another point in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been born" is a grammatically sound past perfect passive construction used to indicate that a birth occurred before another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While no specific examples are available in the current data, understanding its function is key to properly sequencing past events in writing. Alternatives like "was born" exist but may not always convey the same temporal relationship. Remember to avoid using simple past tense when establishing a clear sequence is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was born

Focuses on the single event of birth rather than a state prior to another event.

was brought into existence

Emphasizes the creation or beginning of existence.

came into being

A more formal way of expressing the start of existence.

originated

Highlights the starting point or source of something.

arose

Suggests emergence or appearance.

was created

Focuses on the act of creation.

had its genesis

A more literary way of saying something began.

was initiated

Highlights the start or commencement of something.

began its life

Emphasizes the start of a life or existence.

saw the light of day

An idiomatic expression for being born or created.

FAQs

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

Use "had been born" to describe a birth that occurred before another event in the past. For example: "By the time she was five, she "had been born" in three different countries".

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

"Was born" describes a simple past event, while "had been born" indicates that the birth occurred before another event in the past. The latter establishes a sequence of events.

What are some alternatives to using "had been born"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was born", "came into being", or "originated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "having been born" instead of "had been born"?

"Having been born" is a present perfect participle phrase, often used to introduce a clause providing context about someone's background. While grammatically sound, "had been born" is used within a main clause to establish a clear past perfect tense relationship.