had been commonplace

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been commonplace" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was frequently encountered or widely accepted in the past. Example: "In the early 2000s, flip phones had been commonplace before smartphones took over the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But tributes to Agee's talents had been commonplace since he was a boy.

The New Yorker

The Enlightenment is sometimes called the Humanitarian Revolution, because it led to the abolition of barbaric practices that had been commonplace across civilisations for millennia.

The Guardian - Books

Threats against the author and blogger, along with other members of the Mukto-Mona site, had been commonplace since its establishment in 2001.

The Guardian

Under the 1953 leprosy prevention law, Japan rounded up thousands of patients and forced them to live in sanatoriums located in mountains or on remote islands, although the practice had been commonplace since the turn of the century.

The Guardian

Mr. Stern said to reporters at City Hall yesterday that such requests had been commonplace for more than a decade, and were necessary to supplement the Parks Department's budget.

The New York Times

Audiences of 10,000-20,000 had been commonplace ever since the mega-rallies began taking off over the summer, but in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, Sanders was in his element.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Robo-signing has been commonplace.

The New York Times

Appalling intimidation and torture have been commonplace.

The Economist

Special reporting has been commonplace throughout the paper's history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Use of the pronouns "our" and "us" have been commonplace.

The New York Times

"A lack of personal responsibility has been commonplace throughout the industry," said Mr. Tyrie, the British politician.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been commonplace" to establish that something was a normal occurrence or widely accepted practice in a specific past period. Provide context to clarify the time frame to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been commonplace" without specifying the relevant time period. Saying something "had been commonplace" without context can make your writing vague and less informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been commonplace" functions as a predicate adjective, describing a state or condition that was typical or frequently encountered in the past. It is used to indicate that something was a normal occurrence or widely accepted practice during a specific period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been commonplace" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe something that was typical or widely accepted in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, historical accounts, and academic writing. The phrase effectively provides context, illustrating how situations or practices have evolved over time. While versatile, it's essential to provide sufficient context regarding the time frame to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity. Related alternatives include phrases such as "used to be common" or "was typical", offering flexibility in expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been typical

Similar structure but replaces 'commonplace' with 'typical'.

used to be common

Employs 'used to' to indicate a past state of being common.

was standard practice

Highlights that something was a usual method or procedure.

was a common occurrence

Replaces "had been commonplace" with a more descriptive phrase emphasizing frequency.

was the norm

Uses a noun phrase to indicate standard practice or expectation.

was typical

Simplifies the phrase to a basic adjective describing what was normal.

was widely accepted

Focuses on the widespread approval or agreement with something.

was frequently seen

Emphasizes the high frequency of observing something.

was a familiar sight

Highlights how recognizable or well-known something was.

was the usual thing

Informal alternative, emphasizing ordinariness.

FAQs

How do you use "had been commonplace" in a sentence?

Use "had been commonplace" to describe practices or situations that were typical or widely accepted at some point in the past. For example, "Before smartphones, public phones "had been commonplace"."

What's the difference between "had been commonplace" and "was commonplace"?

"Had been commonplace" refers to a period further in the past relative to a reference point, while "was commonplace" describes something that was generally common at a specific time. For example, "By the 1980s, personal computers "had been commonplace" in many offices, whereas previously, they "were uncommon"."

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

Alternatives to "had been commonplace" include phrases like "used to be common", "was typical", or "was standard practice", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been commonplace" instead of "had been commonplace"?

The choice depends on the time frame. "Has been commonplace" describes something that was typical up to the present, while "had been commonplace" describes something typical in a period completely in the past. "Smartphones "have been commonplace" for over a decade, but typewriters "had been commonplace" before that."