had been closed

USAGE SUMMARY

'had been closed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in the past perfect tense to indicate that an event has happened prior to a reference point in the past. For example, "The restaurant had been closed for several days when the health inspector arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The coffin had been closed.

Independent

His case had been closed.

The New York Times

Pina's theater had been closed.

The New York Times

It had been closed for years.

The New York Times - Travel

Their center had been closed since December.

The New York Times

And the coffin had been closed.

The New Yorker

But the bridges had been closed.

The Guardian - Arts

Police said the investigation had been closed.

The Guardian

The school had been closed because of declining enrollment.

The New York Times

My other outlets for fun had been closed off.

The New York Times

The site had been closed for a decade for renovation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been closed", ensure the context clarifies the reason for the closure to provide a complete understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "was closed" when you need to emphasize that the closure happened before another past event. "Was closed" simply states a past condition, while "had been closed" establishes a sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been closed" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It describes a state resulting from a completed action in the past, prior to another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been closed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a state resulting from a past action, prior to another point in the past. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s typically employed to establish a sequence of events, and to provide context. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific publications and encyclopedias. When composing your sentences, remember that while it is interchangeable with alternatives like "was shut down" or "was not open", "had been closed" emphasizes a past state's relevance to a subsequent event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was shut down

Focuses on the action of stopping operation, often abruptly or permanently.

had ceased operation

Highlights the termination of activity or function.

was not open

Emphasizes the state of unavailability rather than the action of closing.

had been terminated

Implies a formal or official end to something.

was sealed off

Indicates a physical barrier or obstruction preventing access.

was out of service

Suggests a temporary or indefinite period of non-functionality.

was discontinued

Highlights the cessation of production or offering of something.

was inaccessible

Focuses on the inability to reach or enter.

was no longer available

Emphasizes the lack of accessibility or provision.

had suspended activity

Highlights a temporary halt to operations.

FAQs

How to use "had been closed" in a sentence?

Use "had been closed" to indicate that something was in a state of closure before a specific time or event in the past. For example, "The museum "had been closed" for renovations before the grand reopening".

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

You can use alternatives like "was shut down", "was not open", or "had ceased operation" depending on the specific context.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but their usage differs. "Had been closed" indicates a state prior to another past event, while "was closed" simply describes a past state. For example, "It "was closed" last week" versus "It "had been closed" for a week when I tried to visit".

What's the difference between "had been closed" and "had been shut"?

"Had been closed" is generally used for places or institutions, while "had been shut" can refer to anything that can be physically closed, like a door or a box. Although they're often interchangeable, ""had been closed"" is more formal than "had been shut".