had been displayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been displayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has already been done in the past and is not currently being done. For example: "The artwork had been displayed in the museum before the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All of the sculptures that had been displayed were sold at prices above Christie's estimates.

The New York Times

They remembered it from years earlier, when it had been displayed out front.

The New York Times

An advert for the event had been displayed on the group's website since 8 September 2015.

Independent

The bread was changed every sabbath, and the priests ate that which had been displayed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1982 he ruled that a Nativity scene in Pawtucket, R.I., which had been displayed for 40 years, was unconstitutional.

The New York Times

The brand's colors already had been displayed in the show's highly polished shoes, with male legs churning on bicycles.

The New York Times

After a six-year legal battle, an arbitration panel decided last month that the paintings, which had been displayed at the Belvedere museum in Vienna, should be returned.

The New York Times

The head of the district Ebola response team, Abdul Wahab Wan, said the bodies had included those of two babies, and some had been displayed around the hospital.

The Guardian

Wide men Kruse and Tommy Oar lacked the drive that had been displayed over the past fortnight, while Cahill was shackled.

The Guardian - Sport

Before he showed the Paxton at the Meadow Brook concours last year, it had been displayed at the Pebble Beach event on the Monterey Peninsula of California.

The New York Times

It was stolen from its fresh grave by two French taxidermists in about 1830 and had been displayed in a Spanish museum from 1916 to 1997.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been displayed" when describing something that was exhibited or shown at a specific time in the past but is no longer on display.

Common error

Avoid using "had been displayed" when describing something that is still currently on display; use "is displayed" or "has been displayed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been displayed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something was in a state of being shown or exhibited before a specific point in the past. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been displayed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe something that was exhibited or shown in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and usable in English writing. It is most commonly found in news media and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the past perfect tense, indicating a state that existed before another point in the past. Consider alternatives like "was showcased" or "was exhibited" for variety and to adjust the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was put on display

Similar to "was displayed", but emphasizes the action of putting something out for viewing.

was showcased

Emphasizes the act of presenting something attractively or prominently.

was publicly shown

Highlights that something was displayed for the general public.

was exhibited

Implies a more formal or organized presentation, such as in a museum.

was presented

Focuses on the act of formally introducing or showing something.

was on view

Highlights the state of being available for public viewing.

was set out

Implies a deliberate arrangement for viewing.

was revealed

Suggests uncovering something that was previously hidden.

was demonstrated

Focuses on showing how something works or is done.

was made visible

Emphasizes the act of making something able to be seen.

FAQs

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

Use "had been displayed" to describe something that was shown or exhibited in the past, but is no longer in that state. For instance, "The painting "had been displayed" in the gallery until it was sold".

What are some alternatives to "had been displayed"?

You can use alternatives like "was showcased", "was exhibited", or "was presented" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "had been displayed" versus "was displayed"?

"Had been displayed" indicates a past perfect action, meaning it occurred before another point in the past. "Was displayed" simply indicates an action that occurred at some point in the past. For example, "The artifact "had been displayed" before it was moved to storage" versus "The artifact "was displayed" last year".

Is it correct to say "had been display" instead of "had been displayed"?

No, "had been display" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of "display" is "displayed". Therefore, the correct phrase is ""had been displayed"".