had been extinguished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been extinguished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was put out or ended in the past, often in a narrative or descriptive context. Example: "The fire had been extinguished by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their lives had been extinguished.

The New York Times

Something had been extinguished.

The New Yorker

The blaze had been extinguished before fire-fighters arrived.

Independent

The fire had been extinguished, and Allbritton was walking away from the scene.

Harvard University

By the time the fire had been extinguished, six people were dead, including Lewis's wife.

The New Yorker

But Tepco said the flames, which had not been near the plant's reactor, had been extinguished.

Independent

It stated in its quarterly report that those shares had been "extinguished".

The New York Times

Any remaining traces of socialist thought in the Nazi Party had been extinguished.

Britannica

Media censorship has resurfaced where we thought it had been extinguished.

The Guardian

In the late afternoon after one well had been extinguished, Rahim, the son of Kamal, returned.

The New York Times

Something had ceased in him, a light had been extinguished; he did not know why.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been extinguished" to denote the completion of an action where something was actively stopped from burning or, metaphorically, brought to an end. Ensure that the context clearly establishes what "had been extinguished" and by what means, if relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "had been extinguished" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The fire had been extinguished by the firefighters", consider "The firefighters extinguished the fire" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been extinguished" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action (extinguishing) was completed before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. The examples show this phrase describing literal fires being put out, as well as metaphorical 'lights' or hopes being ended.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been extinguished" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a past action of extinguishing something, whether literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's commonly found in news reports, encyclopedias, and academic texts, making it suitable for neutral and formal contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what "had been extinguished" and consider whether an active voice might be more direct. Alternatives include "was put out" and "had ceased". Overall, "had been extinguished" effectively communicates that an action was completed before a specific point in the past, emphasizing the resulting state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was put out

Focuses on the action of actively stopping a fire or light, differing from a more general sense of ending.

had been snuffed out

Emphasizes a sudden and often premature end, like blowing out a candle.

had been quenched

Implies a forceful suppression, often used for thirst or fire, suggesting a more vigorous action.

had been suppressed

Highlights the act of holding something back or preventing its expression, suitable for emotions or rebellions.

had ceased to exist

Emphasizes the termination of existence, suitable for abstract concepts or entities.

had been eradicated

Suggests a complete and thorough removal, often used for diseases or pests.

had been terminated

Suggests a formal or official ending, often used in contracts or agreements.

had been abolished

Focuses on the formal end of a system, practice, or institution.

had disappeared

Implies a vanishing or fading away, without necessarily indicating an external force.

was no more

A simple and direct way to state that something has ended or ceased to be.

FAQs

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

You can use "had been extinguished" to describe a situation where something, literally or figuratively, has been put out or brought to an end. For example, "The fire "had been extinguished" before it could spread to the neighboring buildings" or "All hope "had been extinguished" after the team's final loss".

What are some alternatives to "had been extinguished"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was put out", "had ceased", or "had been suppressed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "had been extinguished"?

While "had been extinguished" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, consider whether the active voice might be more direct and impactful. For example, compare "The candle had been extinguished" with "Someone extinguished the candle".

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

"Had been extinguished" indicates that the action of extinguishing occurred at some point in the past before another event, while "was extinguished" simply indicates that the action happened in the past. The former establishes a sequence of events.