had been heightened

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been heightened" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been increased or intensified in the past, often in relation to emotions, tensions, or conditions. Example: "The sense of urgency had been heightened by the approaching deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Security had been heightened in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

Independent

Worry had been heightened by Mr. Murdoch's snap decision last summer to close The News of the World, at the cost of nearly 200 newsroom jobs.

The New York Times

He told me that their bond was religion and that the interest each of them took in it had been heightened by their experiences in the war.

The New Yorker

But Dr. Peña-Mora said it had been heightened by his efforts, in recruitment and management, to break down traditional boundaries.

The New York Times

Ms. Breeyear wrote that that concerns about SAIC had been heightened by, among other things, allegations of mismanagement and cost overruns by SAIC on the CityTime contract.

The New York Times

The groups whose curiosity had been heightened performed better than the control groups because they shared information more openly and listened more carefully.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

In fact, they have been heightened".

The New York Times

Their indignation has been heightened by two unfortunate incidents.

The Economist

Market risk has been heightened by the recent recession.

The New York Times

Security at all nuclear plants has been heightened since 9/11.

The New York Times - Magazine

Inequality has been heightened, and the stakes have been raised.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been heightened" to describe a state where something has become more intense or prominent over time, particularly when discussing emotions, security levels, or awareness. For example, "Security measures had been heightened following the incident".

Common error

While "had been heightened" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make writing sound indirect and weak. Consider if an active voice construction would be more impactful, such as "The incident heightened security measures."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been heightened" functions as a passive past perfect construction. It describes a state or condition that was intensified before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been heightened" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate an increase or intensification of something prior to a specific time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While appropriate, consider if active voice might be more impactful. Related phrases include "had been intensified" and "had been escalated". Be mindful of the passive voice and context to ensure clarity and effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been intensified

Replaces "heightened" with a synonym that emphasizes a greater level of increase or strength.

had been increased

Uses a more direct and quantitative term than "heightened", implying a measurable rise.

had been amplified

Suggests that something was made louder, stronger, or more noticeable.

had been escalated

Implies a rise in intensity, often used when discussing conflict or urgency.

had been augmented

Indicates an addition or enhancement that made something greater.

had been exacerbated

Suggests that something negative was made worse or more severe.

had been aggravated

Similar to exacerbated, emphasizing the worsening of a situation or condition.

had been sharpened

Focuses on making something more acute or distinct, like focus or awareness.

had been magnified

Emphasizes making something appear larger or more significant.

had been elevated

Implies a rise to a higher level or status.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had been heightened" to use active voice?

To use active voice, you might say "recent events heightened concerns" or "the company's actions amplified the tension". The key is to make the subject of the sentence the one performing the action.

What is a more formal alternative to "had been heightened"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "had been intensified" or "had been escalated", especially in professional or academic contexts.

Is "had been heightened" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "had been heightened" might sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "increased" or "became stronger" might be more suitable.

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

"Had been heightened" indicates that the process of increasing intensity occurred over a period of time before a specific point in the past. "Was heightened" simply states that something became more intense at a particular time.