had been formulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been formulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was created or developed in the past and is relevant to the present context. Example: "The guidelines had been formulated after extensive research and consultation with experts in the field."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Friedmann's models thus anticipated Hubble's law before it had been formulated on an observational basis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A plan for international cooperation in compiling an astrographic chart and catalog had been formulated in 1887 at Paris.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That policy of "indispensable unity," he added, was "the Vandenberg policy," meaning it bore a Republican stamp even though it had been formulated under Democratic administrations.

The New York Times

She said the deal had been formulated "in concert with over 500 non-government advisers, 85% of whom were industry executives and industry lobbyists".

The Guardian

The General had ordered that it should promote the idea that the North's policy of songun, or military first, had been formulated to protect South Korea.

The Guardian - Books

The first inkling that it had been formulated was contained in a speech Acheson made before the Delta Council, at Cleveland, Missis ippee, in May 1947.

The New Yorker

He used a plastic syringe to squirt my hands with a small amount of synthetic dirt, which had been formulated to be fiendishly hard to remove.

The New Yorker

The officials said the law had been formulated so it did not prompt traders to greatly reduce their activities within the taxed countries or move away entirely.

The New York Times

His announcement came moments after the telecommunication union, the United Nations agency that convened the talks here, announced that a final version of the text had been formulated.

The New York Times - Tech

It seemed at the time that the views of Carnap and Wittgenstein, though they had been formulated and elaborated quite differently, shared a large measure of basic agreement.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Many rules of inference by circumscription have been formulated.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been formulated" when you want to emphasize that a plan, idea, or system was developed or created at some point in the past, and its effects or relevance continue to the present.

Common error

Avoid using "had been formulated" when referring to something currently being created or developed. This tense indicates a completed action in the past. Use "is being formulated" or "has been formulated" instead, depending on whether the action is ongoing or recently finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been formulated" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that a process of formulation (creating, developing, or devising) was completed at some point in the past before another action or time. Ludwig provides numerous examples to illustrate its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

22%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been formulated" is a versatile phrase indicating that something was created or developed in the past, often with implications for a subsequent event or situation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Alternatives include "had been created", "had been developed", and "had been established", each with slightly different nuances. While generally appropriate, it's essential to avoid using "had been formulated" for ongoing or current actions. Its formality ranges from neutral to formal, and it is prevalent in academic, scientific, and news-related contexts. Remembering these guidelines ensures effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been created

Emphasizes the act of bringing something into existence.

had been developed

Focuses on the gradual growth and refinement of something.

had been established

Highlights the act of setting something up on a firm or permanent basis.

had been devised

Suggests a clever or inventive planning process.

had been designed

Implies a specific purpose or function was considered during creation.

had been shaped

Indicates influence and modification over time.

had been constructed

Suggests a building or assembling process.

had been planned

Focuses on the preparatory stage of arranging or scheming something.

had been prepared

Emphasizes the readiness or completion aspect.

had been arranged

Highlights the act of putting things in a specific order or position.

FAQs

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

Use "had been formulated" to describe something that was developed or created in the past. For example, "The strategy "had been formulated" after months of research."

What are some alternatives to "had been formulated"?

You can use alternatives like "had been created", "had been developed", or "had been established" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "was formulated" and "had been formulated" can be correct, but they have different implications. "Was formulated" indicates a simple past action, while "had been formulated" implies the action was completed before another point in time or event.

What's the difference between "had been formulated" and "has been formulated"?

"Had been formulated" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before a specific point in the past. "Has been formulated" is present perfect, indicating an action completed at some unspecified time in the past that is relevant to the present. For example, "The policy "has been formulated" and will be implemented next week" (relevant to the present), versus "The policy "had been formulated" before the new CEO arrived" (before a point in the past).