had been docked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been docked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was previously docked, often in the context of ships, boats, or even metaphorically in other situations. Example: "The ship had been docked at the harbor for repairs before the storm hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

If it had been docked.

The New Yorker

Jim's pay had been docked, due to his frequent tardiness.

The New Yorker

I thought of Clover then, how furious she'd be when she found out my pay had been docked.

The New Yorker

He was limiting his diet to meet a contracted weight of 155 pounds; vacation days had been docked at his day job.

The New York Times - Sports

Bart Bryant made an ace in the afternoon, on No. 13, four holes after learning he had been docked two shots in a bizarre penalty.

The New York Times - Sports

Others said their wages had been docked for taking five-minute breaks during 18-hour shifts in the searing summer heat.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Although he was Egyptian, his boat had been docking in Kavala for years.

The New York Times - Travel

And yes, there had been docking of pay for anyone turning up as little as a minute late.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pearl has been docked $300,000 per year for five years.

The New York Times - Sports

The boat has been docked in Istanbul for repairs, and it is mostly refurbished.

The New Yorker

Last season's champions have been docked 10 points after going into administration.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past event where a specific amount was taken away (like money or points), use "had been docked" to clearly indicate the completed action. For example, "His pay had been docked due to repeated tardiness."

Common error

Avoid using "docked" interchangeably with similar verbs like "deducted" or "reduced" without considering the specific context. "Docked" often implies a formal or disciplinary action, whereas "deducted" or "reduced" might simply indicate a decrease in quantity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been docked" functions as a passive perfect construction. This indicates that a subject (e.g., pay, points, a ship) underwent the action of being docked at some point in the past, before another action or time reference. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been docked" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past action where something was reduced or attached/positioned. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, often reporting on penalties or the location of ships. While synonyms like "was deducted" exist, "had been docked" often carries a specific connotation of formal reduction or disciplinary action. To ensure clarity, it is useful to avoid interchanging the expression with similar verbs that change the core meaning of the sentence. Always refer to the context to identify the specific purpose of your writing and the appropriate word choice to convey such meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deducted

Focuses on the act of taking something away, usually money or points.

was penalized

Highlights the imposition of a penalty for a violation.

had been moored

Specifically refers to securing a vessel in a particular location.

was subtracted

Emphasizes the mathematical reduction of a quantity.

had been subtracted

Emphasizes the mathematical reduction of a quantity in the past.

had been anchored

Focuses on securing a ship with an anchor.

had been reduced

Emphasizes the action of making something smaller in amount or value.

had been tied up

Describes the act of fastening a vessel with ropes.

had been levied

Implies the imposition of a charge or tax.

had been assessed

Indicates the evaluation and assignment of a value or penalty.

FAQs

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

Use "had been docked" to describe a completed action of reducing something, often pay or points, due to a rule violation or other reason. For example, "The team "have been docked" points for unsportsmanlike conduct."

What's a synonym for "had been docked"?

A synonym for "had been docked" in the context of pay is "was deducted". In the context of ships it can be "had been moored" depending on the meaning that you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been docked" instead of "had been docked"?

The choice between "has been docked" and "had been docked" depends on the time frame you are referring to. "Has been docked" refers to an action completed recently or relevant to the present, while "had been docked" refers to an action completed in the past before another past action.

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

"Had been docked" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, emphasizing the sequence of events. "Was docked" simply indicates a past action, without necessarily implying a specific relationship to another past event.