had been breached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been breached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing a violation or breaking of rules, agreements, or security measures that occurred in the past. Example: "The security protocols had been breached, leading to a significant data leak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The "solid Democratic South" had been breached.

The New York Times - Magazine

The court heard that hospital policy had been breached previously.

Independent

That company, too, had been breached, but this was different.

The New York Times - Magazine

Its centuries of proud isolation had been breached.

Independent

Multiple investigations unfolded to repair the boundary that had been breached.

Research Policy

Tamkeen pulled out because trust had been breached.

The Guardian

Federal officials also said there was no sign that the trading platform had been breached.

The New York Times

Talkeetna officials said a levee west of town had been breached in two or three places.

The New York Times

The walled garden had been breached; there was a general sense of perplexed, outraged violation.

Independent

Lisa Califf, spokeswoman and counsel for the film, disputed that any agreement had been breached.

The New York Times - Magazine

In most cases, the company had no idea it had been breached, officials say.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been breached", ensure the context clearly identifies what was breached (e.g., a security system, an agreement, a boundary) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "Someone had breached the system", use "The system "had been breached"" to focus on the system rather than the unknown actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been breached" functions as a past perfect passive construction. This indicates that an action (breaching) was completed before a certain point in the past, and the subject of the sentence was the recipient of that action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been breached" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect passive construction, predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. It describes a past violation of a security measure, agreement, or boundary. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage and grammatical correctness. When writing, ensure to clearly define what was breached to avoid ambiguity, and favor the passive voice to focus on the breached entity rather than the actor. Consider using alternatives like "had been violated" or "had been compromised" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been violated

Focuses on the act of breaking a rule, law, or agreement.

had been compromised

Emphasizes the weakening or endangering of something due to a security failure.

had been broken

A more general term indicating that something has been fractured or disrupted.

had been penetrated

Suggests an entry or intrusion into a protected space or system.

had been infringed

Specifically refers to the violation of a right or patent.

had been trespassed

Implies an unlawful entry onto someone's property.

had been invaded

Indicates a hostile entry and occupation of a territory or space.

had been ruptured

Suggests a sudden break or tear, often in a physical barrier.

had been accessed without authorization

Focuses on the unauthorized entry into a system or area.

had been forced open

Emphasizes the use of force to create an opening or breach.

FAQs

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

You can use "had been breached" to describe something that was previously secured or protected but was then violated, for example: "The security system "had been breached", resulting in a data leak."

What is a good alternative to "had been breached"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had been violated", "had been compromised", or "had been penetrated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was breached" instead of "had been breached"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Was breached" indicates a simple past passive, while "had been breached" indicates a past perfect passive, suggesting the action occurred before another point in the past.

In what context is "had been breached" most commonly used?

"Had been breached" is frequently used in contexts discussing security, agreements, or boundaries that were previously intact but were later violated. Examples include cybersecurity incidents, contract disputes, or territorial incursions.