had been editorial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been editorial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state or condition related to editorial work or activities that occurred in the past. Example: "The document had been editorial for several months before it was finally published."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr. Ketchum had been editorial director of the American Heritage publishing company's book division in 1974 when he and his wife decided to give up the grind of weekend commutes to their farm in Dorset.

The New York Times

If he wanted something statesmanlike, moderate, or compassionate-sounding, he had Raymond K. Price, who had been editorial page editor of the New York Herald Tribune during its glorious dying fall.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The substitute has been editorial moralizing.

The New Yorker

There have been polls within the state showing that most people think Knight should remain Indiana's basketball coach, just as there have been editorials and columns from across the nation that argue he should be fired.

The New York Times - Sports

The regulator said there had been "serious editorial misjudgments" compounded by a "serious failure of its compliance process".

The Guardian

Ms. Nelson, 58, had been given editorial responsibility two years ago for the Time Inc. division that includes People, InStyle, Entertainment Weekly and Essence.

The New York Times

Since 2002 he had been the editorial director of Oculus, the journal of the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and eOculus, the chapter's electronic newsletter.

The New York Times - Arts

Last year, Janet Clayton, a Californian who had been the editorial-page editor, was made assistant managing editor for state and local news.

The New Yorker

In fact, not long before his imprisonment, Hurlbert had been the chief editorial writer for The New York Times.

The New York Times

There had been layoffs in editorial the previous Friday; it was logical, wasn't it, that this would follow?

The New Yorker

If it had been on the editorial page or the cultural page or labelled "News Analysis," it would not have stood out.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been editorial" when referring to a past state or condition related to editorial responsibilities, processes, or content. Ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically was editorial.

Common error

Avoid using "had been editorial" when simply referring to a current or future editorial role. Use "is editorial" or "will be editorial" for present or future contexts, respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been editorial" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating that something was in an editorial state before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been editorial" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a past state related to editorial functions. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to provide background or context by indicating that something was previously editorial. While not exceptionally common, understanding its proper usage ensures clarity when discussing past editorial processes or roles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was previously editorial

Emphasizes the prior editorial nature of something.

held editorial responsibilities

Indicates past duties related to editorial work.

served as editor

Focuses on the role of editor in the past.

had editorial control

Focuses on previous control over editorial decisions.

had editorial oversight

Focuses on previous editorial supervision.

formerly edited

Highlights previous editorial work.

previously oversaw editorial content

Highlights past responsibility for editorial material.

once held an editorial position

Indicates a past editorial role.

was in charge of editorial direction

Emphasizes the responsibility of directing editorial content in the past.

used to be an editor

Expresses a past role as an editor.

FAQs

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

Use "had been editorial" to describe something that was previously in an editorial state. For example, "The document "had been editorial" for several weeks before publication."

What's a good alternative to "had been editorial"?

Alternatives include "served as editor", "formerly edited", or "was previously editorial" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct: "had been editorial" or "was editorial"?

"Had been editorial" implies a state that existed in the past before another point in the past. "Was editorial" simply describes a state in the past. Choose based on the timeline you're describing.

What does "had been editorial" mean in the context of a publication?

It means that something, such as a document or a section of a publication, "previously oversaw editorial content", or had been subject to editorial review or processes.