had been condemned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been condemned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone was judged or declared to be wrong or unacceptable in the past. Example: "The building had been condemned due to safety violations and was no longer safe for occupancy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

All six had been condemned to death.

The New York Times

Ash had been condemned to a loving but sexless marriage.

The Guardian - Books

By then, at meetings all over the country, the ruling had been condemned.

The New Yorker

Nestorianism had been condemned by the Council of Chalcedon in 451.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He recently helped restore Philipsburgh, which had been condemned after a fire in 1997.

The New York Times

It wasn't exactly move-in ready; for starters, the gray-shingled house had been condemned.

The New York Times - Travel

He visited houses which had been condemned as unfit for human habitation years before.

The Guardian - Books

Chief Smith said he did not know why the building had been condemned.

The New York Times

Illinois has exonerated 13 men who had been condemned to death.

The New York Times

Three Africans in Rhodesia, who had been condemned to death appealed to the Queen, who granted a reprieve.

The New Yorker

The population on death row was overwhelmingly African-American and 35 prisoners had been condemned by all-white juries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been condemned", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the condemning and the reasons behind it. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "had been condemned" when the simple past tense ("was condemned") is more appropriate. Use "had been condemned" to show an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "The building was condemned after the inspection" (simple past) versus "The building had been condemned before the new owner bought it" (past perfect).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been condemned" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that something or someone received a judgment or declaration of unsuitability before a specific time in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been condemned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys that something was judged or declared unacceptable before a specific point in the past. Its prevalence in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific articles suggests a formal to neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who did the condemning and the reasons why. Alternatives like "was declared unfit" or "was deemed unacceptable" may provide nuance in certain contexts. Using "had been condemned" implies disapproval or unsuitability; therefore, it is not appropriate in positive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deemed unacceptable

Highlights the judgment of something not meeting required standards or expectations.

was declared unfit

Focuses on the declaration of unsuitability, often for practical use.

was judged harshly

Highlights the severity of the judgment passed.

faced severe disapproval

Highlights the experience of being subjected to strong disapproval.

was ruled against

Emphasizes a formal decision or judgment against something.

was censured severely

Emphasizes a strong expression of disapproval or criticism.

was considered reprehensible

Focuses on the moral judgment of something being highly unacceptable.

was pronounced guilty

Indicates a formal declaration of guilt, typically in a legal context.

was banished outright

Highlights the immediate and complete rejection or removal of something.

was shunned completely

Focuses on the total avoidance and rejection by a community or group.

FAQs

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

Use "had been condemned" to indicate that something was officially and strongly disapproved of, judged, or declared unfit before a specific point in the past. Example: "The practice "had been condemned" by the international community long before sanctions were imposed".

What's a good alternative to "had been condemned"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was declared unfit", "was deemed unacceptable", or "was censured", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey. The phrase "was declared unfit", for example, is more specific when referring to buildings or physical spaces.

Is it better to use "had been condemned" or "was condemned"?

Use "had been condemned" to show that the condemnation happened before another event in the past. Use "was condemned" for a single event in the past. For example, "The house "was condemned" after the fire." versus "The house "had been condemned", so they decided to demolish it".

Can "had been condemned" be used in a positive context?

No, "had been condemned" inherently carries a negative connotation, indicating disapproval, unsuitability, or a negative judgment. It is typically used in contexts involving moral, ethical, or practical failings.