had been forfeited

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been forfeited" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was lost or given up, typically in a legal or formal context, often referring to rights, privileges, or property. Example: "Due to the violation of the contract, the rights to the property had been forfeited."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He said more than $20 million had been forfeited from bank accounts around the world as part of the investigation.

The New York Times

It turned out that the original brass wheel had been forfeited to pay an epic bar tab.

The New York Times - Travel

The magazine, founded in 1934 to chronicle the comings and goings of touring swing bands, had been forfeited by a previous owner to the printer, Mr. Maher's father, John Maher.

The New York Times - Arts

Because their husbanded cash and gold had been forfeited to the marauding water, families were reckoning with instant poverty; many people were literally left with nothing -- not even coins in their pockets or clothes on their backs.

The New York Times

The earl's land had been forfeited and taken into the king's custody.

Wikipedia

Teams that had forfeited a game or had been forfeited against would be awarded a technical loss or win.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

To date, about $160 million has been forfeited.

The New York Times

That trust has been forfeited: it must be regained.

The Economist

His chance having been forfeited, Rommel began a gradual withdrawal on February 22.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Since 1970, that lead has been forfeited, producing inequality and wage stagnation.

The New York Times

Again and again, Camus invokes some condition of well-being that has been forfeited, because the pestilence has taken hold.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been forfeited" when you want to emphasize that a possession, right, or privilege was lost as a consequence of an action or violation. Be clear about the reason for the forfeiture to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been forfeited" interchangeably with simpler terms like "lost" without considering the specific context. "Forfeited" implies a formal or legal process, whereas "lost" is more general.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been forfeited" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something was lost or surrendered at a point in the past due to a specific action or event. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been forfeited" is a grammatically sound and usable passive perfect construction. Ludwig AI highlights its effectiveness in formal writing to denote the loss of something due to a violation or legal process. While the phrase appears more frequently in News & Media sources, it is important to consider simpler terms when appropriate. Understanding the context and intended audience is key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was surrendered

Focuses on the act of giving something up, whether voluntarily or not.

was relinquished

Highlights the act of letting go of something, often a right or claim.

was lost

Emphasizes the state of no longer possessing something, irrespective of the cause.

was surrendered to

Specifies the recipient of what was given up.

had been ceded

Implies a formal transfer of something, often territory or rights.

had been yielded

Suggests giving way to pressure or force.

was deprived of

Highlights the act of taking something away from someone.

was seized

Implies a forceful taking of something.

had been taken away

Simple and direct way to express that something was removed.

was nullified

Indicates that something has been made invalid or void.

FAQs

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

The phrase "had been forfeited" is used to indicate that something was lost as a penalty or consequence. For example, "Due to repeated violations, their membership "had been forfeited"".

What are some alternatives to "had been forfeited"?

You can use alternatives such as "was surrendered", "was relinquished", or "was lost" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "had been forfeited" and "had been abandoned"?

"Had been forfeited" implies a loss due to a rule or penalty, whereas "had been abandoned" suggests something was voluntarily left behind or deserted. The key difference is the presence of a regulation or obligation in the former.

Is it appropriate to use "had been forfeited" in informal contexts?

While grammatically correct, "had been forfeited" is more suited to formal or legal contexts. In informal situations, simpler terms like "was lost" or "was given up" might be more appropriate.