had been broadened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been broadened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was expanded or made wider in scope or meaning in the past, often in a context discussing changes or developments. Example: "The scope of the project had been broadened to include additional research areas that were previously overlooked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The decision came after a two-month review that had been broadened after being initially focused on CNN Online.

The New York Times

The Chinese Exclusion Act (1882) prevented those who were Chinese from becoming American citizens, and by 1924 the exclusion had been broadened to apply to all Asians.

Harvard University

By the mid 1950s, use of the term had been broadened to encompass the hijacking of trucks carrying legitimate cargo, as well as the hijacking of legal ships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Davidson explains that originally universities were working with an extremely narrow definition of what constituted contact hours, but that had been broadened.

The Guardian

By the time he was 16, Stuart's musical horizons had been broadened by listening to Paul's AC/DC records, which ignited a desire to play the drums.

The Guardian - Music

Some of Amgen's more recently issued patents, he said, had claims that had been broadened because Amgen knew of Transkaryotic's work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Compared to the pure CACNTs, all the frequency bandwidth had been broaden after adding the modified agent.

Composites Part B: Engineering

Our view here is that the stock market had been broadening before this event, and that investors had been looking at valuations more and more.

The New York Times

I chose the latter, and my horizons have been broadened.

The Guardian

And this time the measure has been broadened to include transgender people.

The New York Times

But that process has been broadened to include consideration of the single-payer model.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been broadened", ensure the context clearly indicates what was originally narrow or limited and how it has expanded. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "had been broadened" when a more active voice would be clearer and more direct. Consider alternatives such as "they broadened" or "we expanded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been broadened" functions as a passive perfect pluperfect verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a past action where something's scope or range was increased before another point in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been broadened" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It indicates that something experienced an expansion in scope or understanding prior to a specified point in the past. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. Remember to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying the initial narrow state and subsequent expansion and also avoid overusing passive voice. Alternatives such as "had been expanded" or "had been extended" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been expanded

Focuses on the act of making something larger or more extensive.

had been widened

Emphasizes the increase in physical or metaphorical width.

had been extended

Suggests an increase in length, duration, or scope.

had been amplified

Implies an increase in intensity or significance.

had been augmented

Indicates the addition of something to improve or enhance.

had been enlarged

Similar to expanded, but can also refer to physical size.

had been developed

Highlights the gradual growth or improvement of something.

had been increased

Focuses on a numerical or measurable increase.

had grown

Implies a natural or organic increase in size or scope.

had evolved

Suggests a gradual development or change over time, often implying adaptation.

FAQs

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

You can use "had been broadened" to describe how something's scope, definition, or understanding has expanded over time. For example, "The investigation "had been broadened" to include new evidence".

What are some alternatives to saying "had been broadened"?

Alternatives include phrases like "had been expanded", "had been extended", or "had been widened", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "had been broadened"?

While "had been broadened" (passive) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they broadened") can often create a more direct and concise sentence. Choose the voice that best suits the context and your desired emphasis.

What does "had been broadened" imply about the original state of something?

The phrase implies that the subject was initially more limited or narrow in scope and that a change has occurred to make it more inclusive or extensive. The extent of that change is defined by the specific context of use.