had been envisaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been envisaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was imagined or planned in the past, often in a context discussing future possibilities or expectations. Example: "The project had been envisaged as a groundbreaking initiative that would transform the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

What had been envisaged as a swift liberation had become a prolonged occupation.

The New Yorker

The opening of the St . Lawrence Seawayin 1959 saw the fulfillment of a project that had been envisaged from the times of the earliest settlements in Canada.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While not detailing the new plans, cabinet undersecretary Graziano Delrio said the sum to be transferred to the municipality "remains the same" – around €500m – as had been envisaged under a previous decree ditched earlier in the week by the government.

The Guardian

There has been a widespread assumption that Russia's military intervention last autumn scuppered any plan for a no-fly zone, as Russian planes were most active over the very airspace where a secure zone had been envisaged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Construction began in 1859 and took 10 years instead of the 6 that had been envisaged; climatic difficulties, a cholera epidemic in 1865, and early labour troubles all slowed down operations.

Britannica

UKFI insists it could receive up to £1bn from Virgin for the sale of Northern Rock and that the additional £73m received is greater than the £50m than had been envisaged when the deal was first announced.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

In the last years, different strategies have been envisaged for the development of stimuli-responsive biomaterials.

Materials Today Chemistry

Actually, the suggested changes have been envisaged indeed to be practically feasible of being implemented.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Two different edge terminations have been envisaged (mesa and a combination of mesa and JTE).

Solid-State Electronics

In the last few years, several strategies towards boosting the electrochemical performance of LiFePO4 cathodes have been envisaged.

Electrochimica Acta

These aspects are addressed in the later discussion of how death has been envisaged in various cultures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been envisaged" to indicate that a plan, idea, or expectation existed in the past but may not have come to fruition. This helps convey a sense of historical perspective and potential deviation from the original intent.

Common error

Avoid using "had been envisaged" when a simple past tense construction like "was envisaged" or "was planned" is more appropriate. "Had been envisaged" implies a longer duration or a situation viewed from a point further in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been envisaged" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating an action (envisaging) that was completed before a specific point in the past. It often describes a plan, idea, or expectation that existed at an earlier time, similar to the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been envisaged" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe plans, ideas, or expectations that existed in the past, often with an implication of how reality diverged from those initial concepts. As Ludwig confirms, it is appropriate for formal and scientific contexts. It is frequently found in sources such as news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications, making it a reliable choice for conveying a sense of historical perspective and potential deviation from original intentions. When writing, remember to consider the longer timeframe it implies and select it over simpler alternatives when this extended timeframe is relevant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been envisioned

Synonymous; emphasizes the imaginative aspect of the original conception or plan.

had been anticipated

This alternative conveys a sense of expectation or prediction regarding a past event or plan.

had been planned

This alternative emphasizes the intentional and structured nature of the original conception.

had been expected

Indicates a belief that something was likely to happen or be the case.

had been intended

Focuses on the purpose or goal that was initially set for something.

had been foreseen

Implies a predictive element, suggesting that the event or plan was anticipated before it occurred.

had been contemplated

This suggests a more thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the idea in the past.

had been considered

Highlights that something was taken into account but not necessarily acted upon.

had been projected

Highlights the act of estimating or forecasting something in the past.

had been conceptualized

Emphasizes the theoretical or abstract development of the idea.

FAQs

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

Use "had been envisaged" to describe a situation that was planned or imagined in the past, often with the implication that the reality turned out differently. For example, "The project "had been envisaged" as a short-term solution, but it became a long-term commitment."

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

"Was envisaged" describes a simple past action. "Had been envisaged" describes an action completed before a certain point in the past, often emphasizing the difference between the initial plan and the eventual outcome. The phrase "had been envisaged" adds a layer of historical context.

What are some alternatives to "had been envisaged"?

You can use alternatives like "had been planned", "had been envisioned", or "had been anticipated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "had been envisaged" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a grammatically correct and sophisticated way to express that something was planned or imagined in the past. It is used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias.