had been circulating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been circulating" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was in motion or being shared over a period of time in the past. Example: "Rumors had been circulating about the company's merger for weeks before the official announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The rumors had been circulating.

The Washington Post

Rumors of other interested buyers had been circulating for months.

The New York Times - Arts

Talk of Ms. Stone's departure had been circulating for months.

The New York Times

Mandela looked nothing like the artists' renderings of an aging boxer which had been circulating.

The New Yorker

Rumors that Mr. Richards was shopping an autobiography had been circulating for some time.

The New York Times - Books

Juhayman's complaints had been circulating in his Islamic manifestoes for years.

The New York Times - Magazine

Texts messages had been circulating urging Muslims to turn up to "defend the mosque" against fascists.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rumours of Ghibli's imminent demise had been circulating in recent weeks.

The Guardian

Rumours that Eta would take a step like this had been circulating for weeks.

The Guardian

"So the story had been circulating around my family for a long time.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But copies of the photographs had been circulated.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been circulating" to indicate that information, rumors, or objects were being spread or shared over a period of time in the past. This phrasing effectively conveys a sense of ongoing movement or dissemination before a specific event or realization.

Common error

Avoid using "had been circulating" when referring to a single, isolated instance of information being shared. This phrase implies a continuous process over time, so ensure your context reflects this duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been circulating" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action that started in the past and continued for a period of time before another point in the past. This can be seen in Ludwig AI examples where rumors or information were spreading over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been circulating" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that something (like information, rumors, or even physical objects) was being spread or shared over a period of time in the past. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that this phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. When writing, ensure the use of "had been circulating" accurately reflects a duration of spreading action before another event. If you need alternatives, "had been spreading" or "had been going around" can often be suitable substitutes. Remember that the choice between "had been circulating" and "was circulating" depends on the specific timeline you're describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been in circulation

Indicates that something was available and being passed from person to person or place to place.

had been spreading

Focuses on the action of dispersing or extending something over an area or among people.

had been going around

Emphasizes the movement or transmission of something within a specific area or group.

had been passed around

Highlights the action of something being physically or virtually transferred between individuals.

had been floating around

Suggests a casual or informal spread of information or ideas.

had been disseminated

Highlights a formal or official distribution of information or resources.

had been doing the rounds

Indicates that something was circulating widely and repeatedly.

had been propagated

Stresses the active promotion or widespread distribution of an idea or belief.

had been rumored

Specifically refers to the spread of unverified information or gossip.

had been bandied about

Implies that something, often a rumor or idea, was discussed frequently and openly.

FAQs

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

Use "had been circulating" to indicate that information, rumors, or objects were being spread or shared over a period of time in the past. For example, "Rumors "had been circulating" about the company's merger for weeks before the official announcement".

What can I say instead of "had been circulating"?

You can use alternatives like "had been spreading", "had been going around", or "had been in circulation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been circulating" or "was circulating"?

"Had been circulating" implies a longer period of time and a situation that precedes another event in the past. "Was circulating" describes something happening at a specific point in the past. Choose the phrase that best matches the timeline of your sentence.

What's the difference between "had been circulating" and "is circulating"?

"Had been circulating" refers to something that occurred and spread over time in the past, while "is circulating" refers to something currently happening. The key difference is the time frame: past versus present.