had been like

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been like" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe something that occurred in the past, usually to compare or contrast it with the present. For example: "She had been like a different person when she was younger, but now she seemed more serious and reserved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We had been like sisters.

The New York Times - Books

Kenny had been like, Little young, bro.

The New Yorker

If only school had been like this.

The Guardian - Travel

It had been like that all night.

The New York Times

It had been like being benignly cuckolded.

The Guardian - Books

But Kunduz had been like a "Star Wars" planet.

The New Yorker

Briiana Floyd, 16, said Tyquan had been like a brother.

The New York Times

"Yale had been like some kind of drug.

The New York Times - Books

She said Ms. Nieves had been "like a sister".

The New York Times

It had been like drinking on an empty stomach.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It had been like living in a war zone.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been like" to describe past experiences or conditions by comparing them to something else, enhancing the reader's understanding through relatable comparisons.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when using "had been like". Ensure the rest of the sentence remains in the past perfect or simple past tense for consistency. For example, don't say: "It had been like a dream, and now it is a nightmare".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been like" functions as a verbal phrase used to describe a past state or experience through comparison. It often connects a subject to an adjective or noun phrase, creating a simile or analogy. Ludwig examples show this in contexts ranging from personal feelings to descriptions of places.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been like" is a versatile verbal phrase used to draw comparisons to past experiences or conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, highlighting its function in creating vivid descriptions and analogies. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as academic sources, this phrase maintains a neutral tone, making it suitable for a broad range of writing styles. When using "had been like", ensure consistency in tense and clarity in your comparisons to maximize its descriptive impact. If you seek alternative phrases, consider options such as "was similar to" or "resembled", but ensure the alternative aligns with the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was similar to

Focuses on the similarity of something to something else, emphasizing resemblance rather than a subjective experience.

was comparable to

Implies a level of comparison, suggesting similar qualities or characteristics but not necessarily identical.

bore a resemblance to

Highlights the fact that there is a similarity between two things, often in a visual or observable manner.

resembled

Highlights the visual or superficial similarity, often used for physical attributes or appearances.

was reminiscent of

Focuses on the act of reminding someone of something, often from the past.

felt akin to

Describes a feeling or sensation that is related or similar, often used for emotional connections.

had the quality of

Emphasizes a specific attribute or trait, focusing on a particular aspect being similar.

was evocative of

Highlights the power of something to bring to mind a particular memory, feeling, or image.

echoed

Suggests a resemblance or similarity that is repeated or reflected, often in a metaphorical sense.

mirrored

Suggests a direct and exact reflection, where one thing closely imitates another.

FAQs

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

"Had been like" is used to describe a past state or experience by comparing it to something else. For example, "The silence "had been like" a heavy blanket".

What are some alternatives to "had been like"?

You can use alternatives such as "was similar to", "resembled", or "was comparable to" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "had been like" and "was like"?

"Had been like" indicates a state that existed in the past relative to another past event, whereas "was like" describes a state in the past. For instance, "Before the storm, the sea "had been like" glass" implies the calm sea preceded the storm.

Can "had been like" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "had been like" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when making comparisons or describing past conditions. However, ensure the comparison is clear and contributes to the overall understanding. Using phrases as "was comparable to" or similar could enhance the formality.