had been conceded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been conceded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was acknowledged or granted in the past, often in a context of debate or negotiation. Example: "After much discussion, it had been conceded that the proposal needed further revisions before approval."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Much of the ground had been conceded before the election.

The Guardian

In a closed meeting, Biden heard concern from his party colleagues that too much ground had been conceded to the Republicans in order to prevent the default.

The Guardian

At that stage only 37 runs had been conceded in 21 overs and when Anderson, swinging the new ball, then removed Steve Smith and Peter Siddle cheaply, the end of the innings looked a formality.

The Guardian - Sport

Within four minutes the Blues were level, thanks to a Jamie Roberts try from a five-metre scrum that had been conceded by the centre Tom May, who had moved to fly-half in Wilkinson's absence.

The Guardian - Sport

Trapattoni had stressed the importance of making a focused start, mindful of the soft early goals that had been conceded in the friendly against Poland and the qualifier against Georgia.

The Guardian - Sport

Before the start of the preliminary competition, the press had set up what was supposed to be an epic battle between Douglas and Raisman for the second US spot in the final; the first, of course, had been conceded to the seemingly unstoppable Biles, the two-time defending world champion.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

But Mr. Spitzer was also more conciliatory than he had been, conceding that he had tried but failed to win over skeptics.

The New York Times

For a team who had been conceding at a rate of nearly two per game in the second half of the previous campaign, that is some turnaround.

The Guardian - Sport

This was Stoke's second consecutive 4-0 defeandand the third time in a row four goals have been conceded.

The Guardian - Sport

It is now 13 matches without defeat, with only three goals having been conceded in the run.

The Guardian - Sport

At Goodison too, where more goals have been conceded by the home side than anywhere else in the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been conceded" to indicate a point or argument that was previously disputed but is now accepted or acknowledged. Ensure the context clearly shows who made the concession and what was conceded.

Common error

Avoid using "had been conceded" when referring to something currently being debated. This phrase implies a past resolution, not a present uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been conceded" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of conceding was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show it describing previously acknowledged points.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sport

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been conceded" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something was previously disputed but is now accepted. Ludwig's analysis, supported by various examples, shows it's versatile across different contexts, with a stronger presence in formal writing. While useful, ensure you pick the correct phrasing for what you are trying to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was admitted

Highlights the acceptance of something as true, often reluctantly or after some resistance.

was acknowledged

Emphasizes recognition of a fact or truth, rather than an explicit concession.

was recognized

Similar to "acknowledged", but may imply a more widespread or public acceptance.

was relinquished

Replaces "conceded" with "relinquished", implying a more formal surrender or abandonment of something.

was surrendered

Implies a complete giving up or yielding, often in a more forceful or decisive manner.

was yielded

Uses "yielded" instead of "conceded", suggesting a giving way or submission to pressure or force.

was granted

Suggests a formal or official permission or allowance, replacing the notion of conceding a point.

was ceded

Suggests a formal transfer of territory or rights, offering a more specific and legalistic alternative.

was allowed

Focuses on permission being given, shifting the emphasis from concession to authorization.

was deferred

Indicates a postponement or yielding to another's judgment, moving away from the idea of conceding.

FAQs

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

Use "had been conceded" to indicate that a particular point or argument was previously in contention but is now accepted as true or valid. For example, "After lengthy negotiations, it "had been conceded" that the initial proposal was too ambitious".

What are some alternatives to "had been conceded"?

Alternatives include "had been acknowledged", "had been admitted", "had been granted", or "had been relinquished", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

"Had been conceded" implies that the concession occurred at some point in the past relative to another past event, while "was conceded" simply indicates that the concession happened in the past. Use "had been conceded" to emphasize the sequence of events.

Is it appropriate to use "had been conceded" in formal writing?

Yes, "had been conceded" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly and precisely indicates that a point has been yielded or acknowledged. Just ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of prior acceptance or agreement.