had been diverted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been diverted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was redirected or changed from its original course or purpose in the past. Example: "The flight had been diverted due to severe weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Five others had been diverted to another home.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's attention had been diverted to external affairs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the military funds had been diverted to the federal government, he said.

The Guardian

Kennedy and LaGuardia Airports were similarly scheduled to accept flights that had been diverted.

The New York Times

The flight had been diverted to Rochester, Minn., because of bad weather.

The New York Times

The "English disease" of hooliganism had been diverted rather than eradicated.

The Guardian

With a knowing smirk, Maradona immediately said the ball had been diverted by the "Hand of God".

The New York Times - Sports

Her flight from Los Angeles had been diverted to Detroit the night before thanks to a northeaster.

The New York Times

Moreover, the Guadalquivir River, which had been diverted around the city for centuries, was brought back into its original riverbed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Air France flight 65 from Los Angeles to Charles de Gaulle in Paris, had been diverted to Salt Lake City.

The Guardian

Because 211 of the hospital's 212 beds were already filled, ambulances had been diverted to other hospitals since midnight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been diverted", ensure the context clearly indicates what the original intended path or purpose was. For instance, "The funds had been diverted from education to infrastructure projects."

Common error

Avoid using "had been diverted" when the action is ongoing or in the future. Use "is being diverted" or "will be diverted" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been diverted" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of diverting occurred in the past, prior to another point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been diverted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction indicating a past action of redirection. Ludwig AI confirms it’s correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to describe changes in direction, resource allocation, or planned routes. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, its use in news and encyclopedic sources suggests a neutral, professional tone. Consider alternatives like "was redirected" or "was rerouted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Using "had been diverted" correctly involves ensuring the context clearly identifies the original intended path and avoiding its use for ongoing or future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was redirected

Focuses on the act of changing direction or course.

was rerouted

Specifically implies a change in route, often for travel or transportation.

was deflected

Highlights a change in direction due to an external force.

was turned aside

Emphasizes the act of being stopped from proceeding in the original direction.

was sidetracked

Suggests a temporary change of focus or direction.

was re-channelled

Implies a shift in the flow or path of something.

was repurposed

Indicates a change in the intended use or function.

was commandeered

Highlights the act of being taken over for a different purpose, often by force.

was hijacked

Emphasizes an illegal or forceful redirection.

was deviated

Formal term describing a change from a norm.

FAQs

How do I use "had been diverted" in a sentence?

Use "had been diverted" to describe a past action where something was redirected or changed from its original path. For example, "The flight "had been diverted" due to bad weather".

What are some alternatives to "had been diverted"?

You can use alternatives like "was redirected", "was rerouted", or "was deflected" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "had been diverted" instead of "was diverted"?

"Had been diverted" implies a completed action in the past relative to another past event, while "was diverted" simply describes a past event. For example, "The resources "had been diverted" before the audit began."

Is "had been diverted" formal or informal?

"Had been diverted" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.