had been formalized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been formalized" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was established or made official in the past, often in a context discussing processes, agreements, or rules. Example: "The new policy had been formalized after several months of discussions and revisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Even though nothing had been formalized, many E.P.A. observers began criticizing the plan.

The New Yorker

A Merrill spokesman said nothing had been formalized with Argentina but confirmed there had been discussions about hiring Mr. Frenkel and Merrill.

The New York Times

By 2009 the larger intervals (periods and epochs) of the Cenozoic had been formalized by the ICS and the International Union of Geological Sciences IUGSS).

Britannica

He announced on Twitter in July that he was enacting a ban on transgender people serving in the military, although no proposal had been formalized.

The Washington Post

Ms. McCormick Lelyveld did not respond to specific questions submitted by e-mail about whether the relationship had been formalized since the election and if Ms. Goldman was receiving additional compensation for her legwork.

The New York Times

While denying that a deal had been formalized, the President tweeted, "Does anybody really want to throw out good, educated and accomplished young people who have jobs, some serving in the military?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Furthermore, once a design has been formalized in the DSD language it becomes possible to perform formal verification of certain aspects of its behaviour, for example using a stochastic model checker or a theorem prover.

Bioinformatics

We provide example protocols that have been formalized using EXACT, and demonstrate the advantages and opportunities created by using this formalization.

Bioinformatics

You will be sent information when services have been formalized.

The New York Times

Since his death in 2005, that process has been formalized.

The New York Times - Arts

The method developed has been formalized with the NIAM model.

Computer-Aided Design

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been formalized" when you want to emphasize that a process, agreement, or concept was officially established at a point in the past, and its formal status is relevant to the current context.

Common error

Avoid using "had been formed" when you specifically mean that something was officially recognized or structured according to specific rules. "Formed" simply implies creation, while "formalized" indicates official recognition and structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been formalized" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates that an action of formalization was completed before a specific point in the past.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been formalized" is a grammatically correct and useful construction in English to indicate that something was officially established or made formal at a point in the past. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various domains, notably news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "had been established" or "had been ratified" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Remember to avoid using "had been formed" when you specifically mean official recognition. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can effectively communicate when a process, agreement, or concept achieved its formal status.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been established

Focuses on the act of setting up or founding something, rather than making it official.

had been ratified

Specifically implies a formal approval or confirmation of an agreement or treaty.

had been sanctioned

Implies official permission or approval, often by an authority.

had been instituted

Focuses on the introduction or establishment of a system or policy.

had been codified

Implies that something has been organized and written down as a code or system.

had been decreed

Suggests an official order or command has been issued.

had been legislated

Implies a formal law or statute has been enacted.

had been ordained

Suggests something has been officially established or ordered, often in a religious context.

had been validated

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

had been authenticated

Implies that something has been proven to be genuine or real.

FAQs

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

Use "had been formalized" to indicate that something was officially established or given a formal structure in the past. For example, "The agreement "had been formalized" after months of negotiations."

What are some alternatives to "had been formalized"?

Alternatives include "had been established", "had been ratified", or "had been sanctioned", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "was formalized" and "had been formalized" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was formalized" refers to a specific point in the past, while "had been formalized" suggests the action occurred before another point in the past or before the present moment.

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

"Was formalized" describes a single event in the past. "Had been formalized" indicates that the formalization occurred before a subsequent event or a specific time also in the past. The past perfect tense emphasizes the completion of the action prior to another point in time.