had been isolated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been isolated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being separated or set apart from others in the past, often in a context involving a specific time frame or event. Example: "The patient had been isolated for two weeks to prevent the spread of infection."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until then, the country had been isolated.

The Economist

Reuters also reported that the woman's husband had been isolated.

The New York Times

A certain number of partially oxidised metabolites, such as β-hydroxybutyric acid, had been isolated.

Nature

Gas and electricity supplies had been isolated while crews assessed the damage.

The Guardian

Patrick Juneau, the claims administrator, said the improprieties had been isolated.

The New York Times

He emerged convinced that he had been isolated for only 25 days.

The New York Times - Health

representative in Uganda, said everyone known to have had contact with Ebola victims had been isolated.

The New York Times

Later, a doctor in Pittsburgh was irate that White had been isolated in Birmingham.

The New York Times - Sports

The category had been isolated by the taboo that surrounded it.

The New York Times

Sex role alternation occurred only in pairs where both animals had been isolated and may be conditional.

Animal Behaviour

The selected strain is a ubiquitous bacterium selected from among several microorganisms that had been isolated from wastewaters.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing scientific processes, ensure clarity by specifying what "had been isolated" from what, and the method used. For example: "The DNA had been isolated from the cell lysate using a standard phenol-chloroform extraction."

Common error

Avoid using "had been isolated" when the context only requires a simple past tense ("was isolated"). "Had been isolated" is best when indicating a past action completed before another past action. For example, instead of "The sample had been isolated yesterday", use "The sample was isolated yesterday" unless you're describing a sequence of past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been isolated" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that the action of isolating was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been isolated" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction indicating a completed action of isolating before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across varied contexts. Its prevalence in scientific and news media, as shown by Ludwig's examples, suggests a formal to neutral register. To ensure accuracy, clarify the subject's isolation and the methods involved, and avoid misusing it in contexts that only require a simple past tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been separated

Emphasizes the act of dividing or keeping apart; more general.

was quarantined

Focuses specifically on isolating due to potential contagion; narrower scope.

had been secluded

Highlights privacy and remoteness; implies a voluntary or intentional isolation.

was segregated

Implies separation based on specific criteria, often discriminatory; different connotation.

had been confined

Indicates a restriction of movement or space; emphasizes imprisonment or limitation.

was detached

Suggests a disconnection or removal from something, either physically or emotionally; broader application.

had been cordoned off

Specifically describes isolating an area with a barrier, typically for safety or security.

was extracted

Implies removal or separation from a mixture or source; applicable in scientific or technical contexts.

was identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or determining something specific; different emphasis.

had been discovered

Focuses on the act of finding or uncovering something previously unknown; different focus.

FAQs

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

Use "had been isolated" to describe a past action of isolating that was completed before another point in the past. For example, "By the time the researchers arrived, the virus "had been isolated" and stored."

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

"Was isolated" indicates a simple past action. "Had been isolated" indicates an action completed before another past action. For example, "The patient was isolated yesterday" versus "The patient "had been isolated" before the doctor arrived."

What are some alternatives to saying "had been isolated"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was quarantined", "had been separated", or "was extracted".

Is "had been isolated" formal or informal?

"Had been isolated" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.