had been lifted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been lifted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that something was raised or removed at some point before another past event. Example: "The heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders after she received the good news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By 2004, the sanctions had been lifted.

The New Yorker

A considerable weight had been lifted.

Independent

For Armstrong, a weight had been lifted.

The New York Times - Sports

Restrictions on foreign travel had been lifted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A seemingly unbearable weight had been lifted.

The New York Times - Health

All evacuation orders had been lifted.

The New York Times

That order had been lifted by Thursday.

The New York Times

In Glasgow that intensity had been lifted.

The Guardian - Sport

For a day at least, the gloom had been lifted.

The New York Times - Sports

Local residents mistakenly believed a curfew had been lifted.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been lifted" to describe the completed removal of a restriction, burden, or weight. It's effective for conveying a sense of relief or resolution in the past.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "had been lifted" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The ban had been lifted by the authorities", consider "The authorities lifted the ban".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been lifted" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that a particular action of lifting something was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been lifted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past perfect passive construction. It primarily indicates the removal of a restriction, burden, or prohibition prior to a certain time in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's suitable for various contexts. Analysis of multiple examples reveals that it's commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal business settings, demonstrating its versatility and reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was removed

Emphasizes the physical or metaphorical removal of something.

was rescinded

Focuses specifically on the cancellation or revocation of something, often a rule or order.

was repealed

Implies a formal or legal cancellation, particularly of a law or statute.

was alleviated

Highlights the reduction or lessening of something negative, such as pain or pressure.

was eased

Conveys a reduction in intensity or severity.

was dismissed

Suggests the rejection or disregarding of something, like a case or concern.

was discharged

Highlights release or liberation from duty or confinement.

was undone

Signifies the reversal of a previous action or state.

was vacated

Suggests an emptying or clearing of a space or position.

was overthrown

Emphasizes the forceful removal of a power or system.

FAQs

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

Use "had been lifted" to describe the removal or termination of something, indicating that the action happened before a specific time in the past. For example, "The sanctions "had been lifted" by 2004".

What are some alternatives to "had been lifted"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "was removed", "was rescinded", or "was alleviated" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "has been lifted" is grammatically correct, it implies a present perfect tense, indicating an action completed recently with present relevance. "Had been lifted" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before a specific point in the past.

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

"Had been lifted" (past perfect) indicates that the lifting occurred before another event in the past, whereas "was lifted" (simple past passive) simply states that something was lifted at a point in the past without necessarily relating it to another event.