had been commanded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been commanded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was instructed or ordered to do something in the past, often in a context where the command was given before another action took place. Example: "The soldiers had been commanded to stand down before the ceasefire was announced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But he sympathized with officers who had been commanded to shoot their fellow-citizens.

The New Yorker

It had been commanded by the Legislature to make "concrete recommendations" on ways to convene a constitutional convention that would "bring about all possible property tax relief".

The New York Times

After the 54th had been commanded to torch a defenseless Georgia port town, an action to which Shaw had objected, the regiment distinguished itself in responding to a Confederate surprise attack at James Island, South Carolina, on July 16 , 1863

Encyclopedia Britannica

He had been commanded by a protecting god to build an ark, in which he rode out the disaster, afterward re-creating man and living things upon the earth, and was himself endowed with eternal life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The spacecraft had been commanded to first send back five photographs taken at closest approach, but because of a software glitch, it instead sent back the images in the order they had been taken, starting with faraway ones.

The New York Times - Science

My earliest Christmas memory is of lying in my bed late at night, hearing my father — with my mother as his assistant — attempting to assemble a snare drum Santa had been commanded to deliver.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Among the dead, rebels said, was Col. Hussein Darbouk, a defected Libyan officer who had been commanding rebel forces in the town.

The New York Times

Mr. Chan, of Bonhams Asia, noted that antique and collectible watches with enameled cases or dials had been commanding high prices at auction.

The New York Times

He had been commanding officer of the infantry regiment Hemingway followed through France after the Normandy Invasion.

Huffington Post

She had been commanding a six-figure salary and living alone in a comfortable house in one of Seattle's upscale neighborhoods.

Huffington Post

It remains the only major theatre of the war to have been commanded by a Canadian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been commanded", ensure that the context clearly establishes who issued the command and what the command entailed. This clarifies the chain of authority and the specific action required.

Common error

Avoid using "had been commanded" without a clear subject. Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates who received the command to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been commanded" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that someone received an order before a specific point in the past. Ludwig's examples show this construction used in diverse contexts, highlighting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been commanded" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a past action was carried out due to a prior order. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its usage across various sources like News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who issued the command and what it entailed. Alternatives such as "was ordered to" or "was instructed to" can be used depending on the context. Understanding its nuances helps in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was ordered to

Emphasizes the direct issuance of an order.

was instructed to

Highlights the act of providing specific instructions.

was directed to

Focuses on the act of directing someone's actions.

received orders to

Indicates the reception of an order to perform a task.

had received instructions

Focuses on the prior receipt of instructions.

was tasked with

Highlights the assignment of a specific task.

was given the responsibility

Emphasizes the assignment of a responsibility.

was charged with

Indicates a formal charge or responsibility.

had the duty to

Highlights the obligation to perform an action.

was called upon to

Focuses on a formal request or expectation.

FAQs

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

Use "had been commanded" to describe a past action that occurred because someone was given an order. For example, "The soldiers "had been commanded" to retreat before the enemy arrived."

What is a similar phrase to "had been commanded"?

Alternatives include "was ordered to", "was instructed to", or "was directed to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "had been commanded" and "was told to"?

"Had been commanded" implies a formal order from someone in authority, while "was told to" is more informal and doesn't necessarily involve a hierarchical relationship. For example, a general might use the former, while a friend might use the latter.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but "had been commanded" indicates an action completed before another point in time, while "was commanded" simply indicates a command in the past. Choose the tense that best reflects the sequence of events.