had been earmarked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been earmarked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been designated or set aside for a specific purpose or use. Example: "The funds had been earmarked for the renovation of the community center."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Possible proceeds from the deal had been earmarked to reduce debt and buy back stock.

The New York Times

The post, she was told, had been earmarked for a woman.

The New York Times

This includes a golf course built on 150 acres that had been earmarked for development.

The New York Times

The company is also "doing all that it can" to keep open small sites that had been earmarked for closure.

The New York Times

Like so many other buildings of historical interest in Los Angeles, it had been earmarked for demolition.

The Guardian - Film

The last stone was laid in the tower, for which funds given by members of the Class of 1911 had been earmarked.

Princeton University

The Iveria, emptied of guests by the war scare, had been earmarked as a temporary home for refugees.

The New York Times

That money had been earmarked for deficit reduction, but could now be spent by Enrico Letta's government.

The Guardian - Business

Each state and territory would receive the same federal funding that had been earmarked over the budget cycle.

The Guardian

Adnyamathanha woman Regina McKenzie said that hearing the site had been earmarked felt like hearing news of a death.

The Guardian

Voting 235 to 191, the House blocked money for construction of school-based health centers that had been earmarked in the health care act.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been earmarked" to clearly indicate that something was specifically designated for a particular purpose in the past. It adds a sense of intentionality and planning to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had been earmarked" when referring to a present or future designation. Use "is earmarked" or "will be earmarked" respectively to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been earmarked" functions as a passive construction indicating that a specific item, resource, or plan was designated or reserved for a particular purpose prior to a certain point in the past. As supported by Ludwig AI, it conveys a sense of prior intention or assignment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been earmarked" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something was previously designated for a specific purpose. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and general usability. Primarily found in News & Media, Academia and Wiki, it suggests official decisions or planned allocations. Consider alternatives like "had been allocated" or "had been designated" based on the desired level of formality. Remember to maintain correct tense and avoid using it for present or future designations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been designated

Replaces "earmarked" with a more formal term indicating a clear and official assignment.

had been allocated

Focuses on the distribution of resources for a particular purpose, similar to "earmarked".

had been set aside

Emphasizes the act of reserving something, conveying a slightly less formal tone.

had been reserved

Highlights the act of keeping something specifically for a particular use.

had been assigned

Implies a formal allocation of something, often a task or responsibility.

had been slated

Suggests something was planned or scheduled for a specific purpose.

had been intended

Highlights the original purpose or plan for something.

had been destined

Implies a preordained or inevitable allocation.

had been put aside

Similar to "set aside" but can imply a temporary or less formal reservation.

was budgeted

Specifically related to financial resources and their intended use within a budget.

FAQs

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

Use "had been earmarked" to indicate that something was designated for a specific purpose in the past. For example, "The funds "had been earmarked" for the new school project".

What are some alternatives to "had been earmarked"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been allocated", "had been designated", or "had been set aside" depending on the context.

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

"Had been earmarked" indicates that the action of designating occurred before another point in the past, while "was earmarked" simply indicates that the action occurred in the past. "The land "had been earmarked" for development before the new mayor took office" versus "The land "was earmarked" for development last year".

Is it correct to use "had been earmarked" in formal writing?

Yes, "had been earmarked" is suitable for formal writing. It clearly conveys the idea that something was specifically designated for a particular purpose. You can also consider using "had been designated" for an even more formal tone.