had been denounced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been denounced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something was publicly criticized or condemned in the past. Example: "The policy had been denounced by several human rights organizations for its negative impact on vulnerable communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Castellanos had been denounced.

The New Yorker

The Grassroots Alliance of left-wingers had been denounced by senior figures in the party.

The Economist

He had been denounced by some fellow scientists and ignored by others.

The New York Times - Magazine

By the time the article had been denounced, the damage was already done.

The Guardian - Opinion

When he reached Anguilla, in the West Indies (April 1699), he learned that he had been denounced as a pirate.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some 40 years earlier, on a bulletin board in the hallway, he had been denounced as a "class enemy".

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

He added that he had been denouncing Smiley as a thief for years.

The New Yorker

This has been denounced as "Muslim favouritism".

The Guardian

Such treatment has been denounced by Amnesty International.

The Guardian - Opinion

She has been denounced as a subversive.

The New York Times

That has been denounced by critics as bad policy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been denounced" when you want to emphasize a past public criticism or condemnation, particularly when the source of the denunciation is noteworthy or important.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the focus should be on the subject that received the denunciation, not on who did the denouncing. For example, prefer "The policy had been denounced by the community" over a less formal phrasing that shifts the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been denounced" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that an action of denouncing occurred and was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, emphasizing the completed nature of the denunciation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been denounced" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that someone or something was publicly criticized or condemned in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is most frequently used in News & Media and Encyclopedia contexts, indicating a neutral register. While alternatives like "had been criticized" or "had been condemned" can be used, "had been denounced" carries a particular emphasis on the public nature of the criticism. Writers should focus on passive voice constructions and use it to maintain clarity and focus on the recipient of the denunciation, ensuring it is the focal point of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been condemned

Expresses a stronger form of disapproval or judgment.

had been criticized

Indicates disapproval but is generally less severe than "denounced".

had been censured

Implies formal disapproval, often by an organization or authority.

had been rebuked

Suggests a sharp disapproval or scolding.

had been stigmatized

Indicates that someone or something has been marked with disgrace.

had been discredited

Implies that someone's reputation or credibility has been damaged.

had been vilified

Signifies that someone or something has been spoken about abusively.

had been ostracized

Suggests someone has been excluded from a group or society.

had been blacklisted

Implies being put on a list of people or entities viewed with suspicion or disapproval.

had been repudiated

Suggests that something has been rejected or disowned.

FAQs

What does "had been denounced" mean?

The phrase "had been denounced" means that someone or something was publicly criticized or condemned in the past. It indicates a past action of strong disapproval.

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

You can use alternatives like "had been criticized", "had been condemned", or "had been censured" depending on the context.

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

Use "had been denounced" to describe a past event where someone or something faced public criticism. For example, "The proposal had been denounced by several organizations for its potential environmental impact."

What is the difference between "had been denounced" and "was denounced"?

"Had been denounced" refers to an action completed before another point in the past. "Was denounced" simply indicates an action that occurred in the past, without specifying its relation to another past event.