had been fulfilled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been fulfilled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been completed or achieved in the past, often in relation to a specific condition or requirement. Example: "The prophecy had been fulfilled, bringing peace to the land after many years of turmoil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I think now that a self-fulfilling prophecy had been fulfilled.

The Guardian - Film

They believed that the promises of the Old Testament about the coming bringer of salvation had been fulfilled in Jesus Christ, but that the fulfillment was not yet complete.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Surely that early promise of Boston had been fulfilled.

The Guardian

The prophecy had been fulfilled: "words have consequences".

The New York Times

Aswany told him that he would continue to protest until the demands of the revolution had been fulfilled.

The New Yorker

After several weeks of fighting, Israel withdrew its forces from the Gaza Strip, declaring that their mission had been fulfilled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Israel withdrew its land forces from the Gaza Strip in early August, declaring that their mission had been fulfilled.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only when it had been fulfilled did he put that particular dream of glory aside, as a painter puts aside a finished painting.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Suddenly what had been fulfilling felt empty.

Huffington Post

Neither pledge has been fulfilled.

The Economist

Certain assumptions have been fulfilled.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been fulfilled" to indicate that a condition, promise, or prophecy has been successfully met or realized in the past. It is especially effective when emphasizing the completion of something anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "had been fulfilled" when referring to actions that are currently being fulfilled or will be fulfilled in the future. Ensure the context clearly indicates a past completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been fulfilled" functions as the past perfect passive voice of the verb "fulfill". It indicates that something was completed or realized at a point in time before another event in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, this structure is commonly used in various contexts to denote completion of a promise, prophecy, or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been fulfilled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating the completion of something in the past before another point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in news articles, encyclopedias, and scientific literature, exhibiting versatility across different registers. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes a past perfect scenario. Alternatives like "had been realized" or "had come to fruition" can offer nuanced variations. By avoiding tense errors and focusing on clarity, you can effectively employ "had been fulfilled" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had come to fruition

Emphasizes the successful development and completion of a process or plan.

had been realized

Focuses on the actualization of a dream, goal, or expectation.

had been achieved

Highlights the successful attainment of a specific target or objective.

had been accomplished

Stresses the successful completion of a task or undertaking.

had been consummated

Implies the finalization or completion of something, often with a sense of culmination.

had materialized

Suggests that something has become real or tangible after a period of anticipation or planning.

had been brought to pass

Emphasizes the fulfillment of a prophecy or predetermined event.

had been brought about

Focuses on the act of causing something to happen or be completed.

had been completed

Simple and direct, emphasizing the state of being finished or done.

had reached completion

Indicates the final stage of a process or project has been achieved.

FAQs

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

Use "had been fulfilled" to express that a promise, prophecy, or requirement was completed at a time before the moment of speaking or writing. For example: "The prophecy "had been fulfilled", bringing peace to the kingdom."

What are some alternatives to "had been fulfilled"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been realized", "had been achieved", or "had come to fruition" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been fulfilled" instead of "had been fulfilled"?

While "has been fulfilled" is grammatically correct, it indicates a completion closer to the present. "Had been fulfilled" emphasizes that the fulfillment occurred at a point in the past relative to another past event or time.

What is the difference between "fulfilled" and "had been fulfilled"?

"Fulfilled" implies a simple past completion, while "had been fulfilled" indicates a past perfect completion. Use "had been fulfilled" to show that the fulfillment happened before another event in the past. For instance, "By the time the king arrived, the prophecy "had been fulfilled"."