had been embroiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been embroiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been involved in a conflict or complicated situation over a period of time. Example: "The company had been embroiled in legal disputes for several years before finally reaching a settlement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The wounded men, 38 and 40, had been embroiled in an altercation with an unknown person.

The New York Times

For decades, the Grant and Manhattanville Houses had been embroiled in a feud.

The New Yorker

The jury also heard more about the another S.E.C. investigation Ms. Schwartz had been embroiled in.

The New York Times

Deripaska and Manafort had been embroiled in a business dispute for years.

The Washington Post

Mr. Chrétien also dropped Alfonso Gagliano, the public works minister, who had been embroiled in corruption controversies.

The New York Times

They said Mr. Vargas had been embroiled in a dispute with the building's managers, a husband-and-wife team who were among the dead.

The New York Times

A few months previously, he had been embroiled in a wiretapping scandal involving the country's intelligence service SREL, for whose activity he was politically responsible.

The Guardian

By the start of 2008, Clinton had been embroiled in bitter partisan warfare for more than a decade and a half.

The New Yorker

Further complicating the relationship between the parties, Apple Corps, the Beatles' company, and Apple, the computer company, had been embroiled for decades in trademark disputes.

The New York Times

He and Dr. Borukhova had been embroiled in a long child-custody battle, and Dr. Borukhova was in the park the day Dr. Malakov was killed.

The New York Times

Before then Aceh had been embroiled in an almost 30-year struggle for self-rule with the Indonesian government that left tens of thousands dead.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been embroiled" when you want to emphasize a prolonged or complicated involvement in a negative situation like a dispute, scandal, or conflict. It suggests a state of being deeply entangled.

Common error

Avoid using "had been embroiled" for minor disagreements or insignificant situations. It carries a connotation of seriousness and complexity, and using it lightly can sound exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been embroiled" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that someone or something was involved in a difficult situation before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI says, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been embroiled" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating deep and often negative involvement in a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. Appearing frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki sources, it conveys a sense of prolonged or complicated entanglement. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for serious disputes, scandals, or conflicts to avoid exaggeration. Consider alternatives like "had been caught up in" or "had been entangled in" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been embroiled within

Specifies that the situation is enclosed or exists entirely within something larger. It’s redundant to use "within" as "embroiled" implies containment.

had been caught up in

Focuses on being unintentionally involved, suggesting less agency.

had been entangled in

Emphasizes complexity and difficulty in extricating oneself.

had been enmeshed in

Similar to entangled, but with a stronger sense of being trapped.

had been mixed up in

Implies a negative connotation, suggesting involvement in something illicit.

had been implicated in

Suggests involvement with potential legal or ethical consequences.

had been consumed by

Highlights the intensity of involvement, often emotional or all-encompassing.

had been swept up in

Suggests a lack of control, being carried along by events.

had been plunged into

Implies a sudden and forceful entry into a difficult situation.

had been up to one's neck in

This is an idiomatic expression implying a very deep and often overwhelming involvement in something challenging or problematic.

FAQs

How to use "had been embroiled" in a sentence?

Use "had been embroiled" to describe someone or something that has been deeply involved in a difficult or complicated situation over a period of time. For example, "The company had been embroiled in legal disputes for several years."

What can I say instead of "had been embroiled"?

You can use alternatives like "had been caught up in", "had been entangled in", or "had been mixed up in" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is embroiled" instead of "had been embroiled"?

Yes, but the tense changes the meaning. "Is embroiled" indicates a current state of involvement, while "had been embroiled" indicates a past state. Use the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the involvement.

What's the difference between "had been involved" and "had been embroiled"?

While both indicate participation, "had been embroiled" suggests a more intense and often negative involvement, typically in a conflict or dispute. "Had been involved" is a more general term and can refer to positive or neutral situations.