had been grown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been grown" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form would typically be "had grown" or "had been grown by" when referring to something that was cultivated or raised. Example: "The crops had grown well this season, thanks to the favorable weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Conventional corn had been grown there for generations.

Cornell University

Only the other day I found shiso leaves that had been grown in East Sussex.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thousands of young communists descended on Kazakhstan to grow crops where none had been grown before.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was made from mouse-human antibodies that had been grown in tobacco plants.

The New Yorker

Some of the food had been grown in their organic garden.

The New Yorker

Almost everything had been grown in the garden or foraged in the woods above the village.

The Guardian - Travel

He played as if he had been grown tired of waiting.

The New York Times - Arts

All the fruits and vegetables had been grown in their garden.

The New York Times

Lactococcus lactis displayed poorer survival in gastric and duodenal compartments when it had been grown in cheese.

Food Microbiology

By 2004, secret scientific testing established that the mailed anthrax had been grown somewhere near Fort Detrick.

The New York Times

ONCE upon a time, much of the man-made world consisted of things that had been grown.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the origin or source of agricultural products or living things, use "had been grown" to clearly indicate a past cultivation process. For example, "The vegetables had been grown organically."

Common error

Avoid using "had been grown" when the active voice is more direct and concise. Instead of "The experiment had been grown by the scientists", prefer "The scientists had grown the experiment" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been grown" functions as the past perfect passive voice of the verb "grow". This indicates that something was cultivated or developed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been grown" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect passive construction, indicating that something was cultivated or developed before a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples reveal its frequent application in scientific, news, and academic contexts, reinforcing its versatility. It's crucial to use this phrase when emphasizing the completion of the growing process before another past event, and to consider the active voice for more direct communication when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was cultivated

Focuses on the act of cultivation, replacing the continuous aspect.

was raised

Emphasizes the nurturing aspect of growth, particularly suitable for living organisms.

was produced

Highlights the outcome of a growth process, suitable for agricultural or manufacturing contexts.

was developed

Shifts the focus to the process of development, applicable to both physical and abstract entities.

had sprouted

Focuses specifically on the initial stage of growth, implying a beginning or emergence.

had flourished

Highlights successful or vigorous growth, adding a sense of prosperity or thriving.

had been nurtured

Emphasizes the care and attention given to foster growth.

was propagated

Implies a deliberate and often technical process of reproduction or increase.

was cultured

Suitable for biological contexts, referring to growth in a controlled environment.

was fostered

Highlights the act of promoting or encouraging growth, often in a supportive environment.

FAQs

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

Use "had been grown" to describe something that was cultivated or raised in the past. For instance, "The tomatoes "had been grown" in a greenhouse."

What are some alternatives to "had been grown"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "was cultivated", "was raised", or "was produced".

Is "had been grown" grammatically correct?

Yes, ""had been grown"" is grammatically correct as the past perfect passive form of "grow". It indicates an action that was completed before a specific time in the past.

When should I use "had been grown" instead of "was grown"?

Use ""had been grown"" to emphasize that the growing process was completed before another point in the past. Use "was grown" for a simple past passive action.