had been consigned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been consigned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been assigned or allocated to a particular place, person, or purpose, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The documents had been consigned to the archives for safekeeping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Socialism had been consigned to history.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their water canon had been consigned to a museum.

The New York Times

Nationalism, it was once said, had been consigned to the dustbin of history.

Independent

In front of a packed arena, Paul Hamm heard the announcement that Jamie Natalie had been consigned to alternate.

The New York Times - Sports

Thanks to punk, it felt as if rock had been consigned to the dustbin of history, certainly in London.

The Guardian - Music

The old idea of star performers who shone more brightly than those around them had been consigned to history.

The Guardian

Much of the target culture that proved so destructive with Mid Staffs had been consigned to history, Keogh insisted.

The Guardian

It began as a speculative celebrity reinvention of a ballroom dancing show that had been consigned to the archives.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Gallois emphasized that the days of national power struggles and mutual suspicions within EADS had been consigned to the past.

The New York Times

You can see O'Hara's entire oeuvre as an attempt, therefore, to remake identity on terms more durable than the ones to which he had been consigned.

The New Yorker

Based on his voluminous published work, I wrote that Professor Sargent didn't seem to belong in the noninterventionist camp to which he had been consigned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been consigned" to clearly indicate that something has been definitively assigned to a particular place, purpose, or condition in the past. This phrase is especially effective when emphasizing that the assignment is complete and often irreversible.

Common error

Avoid using "had been consigned" when the assignment is temporary or easily reversed. Choose a more flexible phrase like "was temporarily assigned" if the situation is not permanent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been consigned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been assigned, transferred, or relegated to a specific place or condition. As noted by Ludwig AI, it denotes a completed action with a sense of finality or permanence. This contrasts with active voice constructions where the subject performs the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been consigned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, particularly in news and media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates that something has been definitively assigned or relegated, often with a sense of completion or permanence. While suitable for formal writing, it may be less appropriate in casual settings. Consider alternatives like "had been relegated" or "had been assigned" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Its prevalence in reputable sources indicates its reliability and effectiveness in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been relegated

Indicates a lowering in rank or position, often in a more formal or official context.

had been assigned

Suggests a formal allocation or designation to a specific purpose or place.

had been relegated to the past

Specifically indicates something has been moved to a previous time, implying it is no longer relevant.

had been allocated

Implies a distribution or allotment of something for a particular purpose.

had been deposited

Suggests something has been placed or left in a particular location, often for safekeeping.

had been relegated to obscurity

Highlights a state of being unknown or forgotten, often due to lack of attention or importance.

had been committed

Indicates that something has been entrusted or given over to someone's care or a specific purpose.

had been dispatched

Implies something was sent off to a specific location.

had been banished

Indicates being forced to leave a place, often as a punishment.

had been set aside

Suggests something was reserved or kept separate for a particular purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "had been consigned" to indicate that something has been definitively assigned or relegated to a specific place, state, or purpose. For example, "The old documents "had been consigned" to the archives."

What are some alternatives to "had been consigned"?

You can use alternatives like "had been relegated", "had been assigned", or "had been relegated to the past" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "had been consigned" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "had been consigned" is more suited for formal writing due to its somewhat official and definitive tone. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "had been consigned" and "had been assigned"?

"Had been assigned" implies a formal allocation or designation, while "had been consigned" often suggests a more permanent or less reversible assignment. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.