had been constructed

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been constructed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it as the past perfect form of the verb "construct", indicating that something was built before another event in the past. Example: By the time we arrived, the bridge had been constructed across the river.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The portrait had been constructed out of colored marble.

The New Yorker

It also remained unclear how the bomb had been constructed.

The New York Times

The venue had been constructed for this one meal.

The New Yorker

As yet, nothing had been constructed in finished stone.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Looking down, he saw that the urinal had been constructed from Armenian gravestones.

The Guardian

White House officials said the plan had been constructed to allow for such legal delays.

The Guardian

When work began, they found that this three-storey building had been constructed without foundations.

The Guardian

It was only after liberation that the Germans learned that the glider had been constructed.

The New York Times

A wooden walkway had been constructed over some parts of the trail.

The New York Times - Arts

Buildings had been constructed with minimal land clearance so that dense trees surrounded the camp.

The New York Times - Travel

Arnason told me that the device had been constructed "to show politicians whenever we need money".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been constructed" to clearly indicate that the construction was completed before a specific point in the past. For instance: "By the time the storm hit, the seawall had been constructed to protect the coastline."

Common error

Avoid using "was constructed" when you need to emphasize that the construction was completed before another past event. "Was constructed" simply states the construction happened in the past, without providing a specific temporal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been constructed" functions as the past perfect passive form of the verb "construct". It indicates that something was built or created before another event in the past. Ludwig confirms this as a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been constructed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves as the past perfect passive form of "construct". As Ludwig AI points out, it clarifies that a construction activity happened before a specific time in the past. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing scenarios. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately conveys the sequence of events and consider alternatives like "had been built" or "had been erected" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been built

Replaces "constructed" with a more common synonym, reducing formality.

had been erected

Implies a more formal or monumental type of construction.

had been assembled

Suggests a process of putting together pre-made components.

had been created

Emphasizes the act of creation rather than the physical construction.

had been fabricated

Implies careful workmanship or possibly deception.

had been manufactured

Specifically refers to industrial production.

had been fashioned

Suggests a shaping or molding process, often with artistic intent.

had been formed

Indicates that something came into existence through a natural process.

had been developed

Focuses on the gradual growth and evolution during the construction process.

had been instituted

Refers to something abstract that has been created such as a system or rule.

FAQs

How to use "had been constructed" in a sentence?

Use "had been constructed" to describe an action that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "The building "had been constructed" before the earthquake struck."

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

You can use alternatives like "had been built", "had been erected", or "had been assembled" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "had been constructed" or "was constructed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but their use depends on the context. "Had been constructed" indicates that the action was completed before another event in the past. "Was constructed" simply indicates that the action happened in the past.

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

While both indicate completion, ""had been constructed"" places the completion of the action earlier in the past relative to another event. "Was built" simply refers to the action occurring at some point in the past.