had been formed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been formed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to an event that happened in the past before another event in the past. For example, "The plans to expand the company had been formed long before the pandemic began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

had been formed.

The New Yorker

Strong attachments had been formed.

The New York Times - Arts

The habit had been formed too early.

The New York Times

Strange alliances had been formed.

The Guardian - Books

Different textures had been formed in the three schemes.

Materials & Design

The parties had been formed because petitioning seemed ineffective.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As of mid-2018, more than 40 startups had been formed on the Cornell Tech campus.

Cornell University

However, he could still access some memories that had been formed before the surgery.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Fedayeen had been formed in the mid-1990's to suppress any Shiite revolts.

The New York Times

Most of them had been formed in reaction to a rash of deaths.

The New Yorker

They were fluttering around in a circle that had been formed by the other healthy birds.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been formed" to clearly indicate that the formation occurred before a specific point in the past. This helps to establish a clear chronological order in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had been formed" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "A committee had been formed by the president", consider "The president had formed a committee" for a more concise and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

Had been formed functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action of forming or creating something was completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts to establish a sequence of past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been formed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to establish a clear sequence of past events, indicating that an action occurred before another point in the past. It is appropriate for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the timeline and that the active voice is not a more suitable alternative. Related phrases such as "was created" or "was established" can provide alternative options depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created

Focuses on the act of creation, omitting the perfect tense and passive voice.

was established

Highlights the establishment or founding of something, rather than its formation.

was founded

Similar to "was established", but emphasizes the beginning or origin.

was developed

Focuses on the process of development, suggesting a gradual formation.

was constructed

Emphasizes the building or assembling of something.

was built

A simpler alternative to "was constructed", indicating a physical creation.

came into existence

Indicates the beginning of something's being, without specifying how.

took shape

Suggests the gradual development of a form or structure.

was organized

Highlights the arrangement or structuring of something.

was instituted

Emphasizes the formal establishment of a system or organization.

FAQs

How do I use "had been formed" in a sentence?

Use "had been formed" to indicate that something was created or established before a specific time in the past. For example, "The team "had been formed" before the start of the season" shows the team's creation preceded the season's beginning.

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

Alternatives include "was created", "was established", or "was founded", depending on the context. Each alternative emphasizes a different aspect of the formation process.

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

"Had been formed" indicates a past perfect passive construction, highlighting that the formation occurred before another point in the past. "Was formed" simply states that something was created in the past without specifying a prior event.

Is it ever incorrect to use "had been formed"?

While grammatically correct, using "had been formed" may be less direct than using the active voice. Consider rephrasing to use a more active construction when appropriate for clarity and impact.