had been foreseen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been foreseen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was predicted or anticipated in the past. Example: "The challenges we faced during the project had been foreseen by the team during the initial planning stages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The forecast wipes out the trillion-dollar surpluses that had been foreseen through 2015.

The New York Times

It said it would resume dividend payments in 2013, but at half of the €1.50, or $1.80 ,a share that had been foreseen for 2012.

The New York Times

Neither post had been foreseen by the ritsuryō system, which was based on the principle of direct rule by the emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And even then results may not be what had been foreseen, and often depend on external factors that cannot be predicted.

The Guardian - Opinion

The demonstration that the inner structure of the atom is quantized had been foreseen by Niels Bohr, who utilized the quantum theory to explain the nature of the atom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The reverses suffered by the French army after France had declared war on Austria and Prussia had been foreseen by Robespierre, and, when invasion threatened, the people rallied to him.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Box office bombs that should have been foreseen.

Harvard University

What came next could not have been foreseen.

Independent

"There was no way this could have been foreseen.

Independent

This contention proves too much because Hadley allows recovery for harms that should have been foreseen.

Harvard University

All of it could have been foreseen – indeed, was foreseen by some of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been foreseen", ensure the context clearly indicates who did the foreseeing and what actions were taken as a result.

Common error

Avoid using "had been foreseen" when simple past tense, like "was foreseen", would be more appropriate. The past perfect tense implies a sequence of events where the foreseeing occurred before another past action or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been foreseen" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that a prediction or anticipation occurred before a specific point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been foreseen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction that signifies prior prediction or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. The phrase commonly appears in news, encyclopedias, science, and wiki sources, implying a formal or neutral tone. When using "had been foreseen", ensure that the context accurately reflects a sequence of past events where the act of foreseeing preceded another action or state. Remember also that although other terms as "had been anticipated", "had been predicted", or "had been expected" are valid alternatives, it's important to pick the expression which best convey the correct nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been anticipated

Emphasizes prior expectation but can be slightly less formal.

had been predicted

Directly states a prior prediction, potentially based on specific evidence.

had been expected

Indicates something was considered likely to occur.

had been planned for

Focuses on proactive measures taken in anticipation.

had been contemplated

Suggests thoughtful consideration of a possibility.

had been envisaged

Implies a mental image or visualization of a future event.

had been accounted for

Highlights the inclusion of something in calculations or preparations.

was foreseeable

A more concise way of saying that something could have been predicted.

was to be expected

Indicates that something was likely or predictable based on the circumstances.

had been in the cards

Suggests that something was destined to happen, often despite efforts to prevent it.

FAQs

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

Use "had been foreseen" to indicate that something was predicted or anticipated before a specific event or time in the past. For example, "The budget deficits "had been foreseen", leading to early cost-cutting measures".

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

You can use alternatives like "had been anticipated", "had been predicted", or "had been expected" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been foreseen" or "was foreseen"?

"Had been foreseen" implies the action of foreseeing occurred before another past action or a specific time in the past. "Was foreseen" simply indicates the foreseeing happened at some point in the past, without necessarily preceding another event.

What's the difference between "had been foreseen" and "could have been foreseen"?

"Had been foreseen" indicates that something was actually predicted. "Could have been foreseen" suggests that it was possible to predict something, whether or not it actually was.