had been compromised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been compromised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been put at risk or made vulnerable, often in contexts related to security or integrity. Example: "The data had been compromised during the cyber attack, leading to a breach of sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Experts warned, however, that the site had been compromised.

The Washington Post

Others feared that America's vaunted sanctions regime had been compromised.

The New York Times

Vaccination efforts had been compromised in Afghanistan's violence-ridden south.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The vision of an industrial utopia had been compromised.

The New York Times

King questioned whether special operations methods had been compromised.

Independent

Trump allegedly had been compromised by video evidence of encounters with prostitutes, Steele's reports said.

The Washington Post

Jeff Davis, denied on Thursday that the mission had been compromised.

The New York Times

Or maybe you received a private message warning you that your account had been compromised.

The Washington Post

Initially, Target warned that 40 million credit and debit cards had been compromised.

The Guardian - Business

In January, she tweeted that Senator Lindsey Graham had been "compromised" by Trump.

The New Yorker

She said there is no evidence that patient data had been compromised.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been compromised", ensure that the subject and object of the compromise are clearly identified. For example, specify what "had been compromised" and what the consequences were.

Common error

Avoid using "had been compromised" without a clear understanding of the passive voice. Ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates what was compromised and by what means, if known. For example, avoid ambiguity by clarifying whether the system was compromised due to a hack or internal error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been compromised" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has been negatively affected by an external force, leading to a state of vulnerability or reduced integrity. Ludwig AI highlights this through numerous examples where systems, accounts, or data are described as being in a compromised state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been compromised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe that something was vulnerable or damaged. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase commonly appears in news, science, and business contexts, carrying a neutral to professional tone. When writing, clarity is key; specify what "had been compromised" and its implications. Consider alternatives like "was breached" or "was undermined" to fine-tune your message. Remember, using "had been compromised" without specifying the subject can create ambiguity, so be specific in your writing for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was breached

Focuses specifically on the act of breaking through a security barrier or defense.

was undermined

Emphasizes a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or effectiveness.

was jeopardized

Highlights the risk or danger that something is exposed to as a result of being compromised.

was corrupted

Indicates a state of impurity or decay, often applied to data or moral values.

was tainted

Implies contamination or a negative influence that diminishes the original quality.

was weakened

Suggests a reduction in strength or resilience, making something more susceptible to harm.

was disabled

Implies that something was put out of action and rendered unfunctional.

was subverted

Focuses on the act of undermining the power or authority of an established system or institution.

was impaired

Highlights the reduction of quality, value or strength.

was vitiated

Implies weakening or spoiling of something by damaging it or reducing its effectiveness.

FAQs

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

Use "had been compromised" to indicate that something's integrity, security, or effectiveness was undermined at some point in the past. For example: "The database "had been compromised", resulting in a data breach."

What are some alternatives to "had been compromised"?

Alternatives include "was breached", "was undermined", or "was jeopardized", depending on the specific context. Each alternative offers a slightly different shade of meaning.

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

While "had been compromised" is in the passive voice, it's often suitable when the actor causing the compromise is unknown or irrelevant. If the actor is important, use the active voice: "Hackers "had compromised" the system."

What does it mean when someone says their account "had been compromised"?

It typically means that unauthorized access was gained to their account, potentially exposing personal information or allowing malicious activities to be carried out in their name. They should change their password and review their account activity immediately.