had been expelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been expelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone was removed from a place or organization in the past, often as a disciplinary action. Example: "After several warnings, he had been expelled from the university for academic dishonesty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nine had been expelled.

The New Yorker

Queiroz had been expelled from the police.

The Guardian

Still others had been expelled or declared Suppressive Persons.

The New Yorker

Since January, 135 individuals had been expelled, he said.

The Guardian

Galloway had been expelled from the Labour party.

The Guardian

This was after Cruz had been expelled from Stoneman Douglas.

The New Yorker

Many of them had been expelled from the compound.

The Guardian

Turns out he had been expelled from high school.

The New York Times

Eventually, they went to Exeter and Harvard, two schools from which Cam had been expelled.

The New Yorker

But within less than two years he had been expelled after attacking another knight.

Independent

On Wednesday it was officially confirmed that he had been expelled from the Writers Unionn.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been expelled", ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the expulsion. Specify the institution, organization, or place from which the person was removed.

Common error

Avoid using "had been expelled" when a simple past tense like "was expelled" is sufficient. "Had been expelled" is best used when describing an event that occurred before another event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been expelled" functions as a passive perfect pluperfect verb phrase. It indicates that someone or something was removed or forced out from a place, organization, or position at a time prior to another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been expelled" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to describe a past event of removal or exclusion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. Its usage is particularly common in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academic contexts, indicating its suitability for formal and informative writing. While alternatives like "was kicked out" or "was removed" exist, the choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use it when describing an event that occurred before another event in the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was kicked out

Replaces the formal "expelled" with a more informal and direct expression of being removed.

was removed

Indicates a general removal, lacking the specific disciplinary connotation of "expelled".

was excluded

Focuses on the act of being kept out, rather than the action of forcing someone out.

was forced out

Emphasizes the element of coercion in the removal.

was dismissed

Suggests a more formal removal, often from a job or position.

was ejected

Suggests a sudden and forceful removal.

was banished

Implies a more severe and often permanent form of expulsion, often from a country or region.

was suspended

Indicates a temporary removal, as opposed to the permanent nature of expulsion.

was terminated

Implies a formal ending of a relationship or membership.

was discharged

Suggests a formal release or dismissal, often from military service or a hospital.

FAQs

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

Use "had been expelled" to describe an action that occurred in the past before another past event. For instance, "He applied to another school because he "had been expelled" from his previous one."

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

You can use alternatives like "was kicked out", "was removed", or "was excluded" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was expelled" instead of "had been expelled"?

Yes, "was expelled" is often correct and simpler. Use "had been expelled" when you need to emphasize that the expulsion happened before another event in the past. Otherwise, "was expelled" is usually sufficient.

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

"Had been expelled" typically implies a permanent removal, while "was suspended" suggests a temporary removal. The choice depends on whether the individual is permanently barred or temporarily restricted.