had been maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was kept in a certain state or condition over a period of time in the past. Example: "The equipment had been maintained regularly to ensure optimal performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Until 1962 these papers had been maintained largely intact but in private hands.

Cornell University

Before its completion, regular ferry services had been maintained between the island and the mainland provinces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At six-month follow-up, progress towards achieving parent-set child behaviour goals and parenting satisfaction had been maintained.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

"If the safeguards had been maintained, we would have vigorously pursued this matter further in the W.T.O.," he added.

The New York Times

The damage, avoidable if spending had been maintained, is equivalent to that wrought by the devastating 2007 floods in England.

The Guardian

"The playing areas had been maintained," Jones was saying during a recent visit, "but the periphery had been ignored.

The New York Times - Sports

He pointed to the weathered balcony across the street, which until recently had been maintained, but was now being dismantled.

The New York Times

A spokesperson for Metrojet said it had been maintained according to international regulations and had undergone routine pre-flight checks.

Independent

If China's rate of educational progress had been maintained, it would by now have reached unimaginable heights of sophistication.

The Economist

The regulation, which has no legal basis, had been maintained to protect the jobs of male makeup artists, film workers' unions have admitted.

The Guardian - Film

He noted that a much smaller spawning-ground sanctuary had been maintained for decades but that something far more drastic proved necessary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been maintained" when you want to emphasize that something was kept in a specific condition over a period of time leading up to a particular point in the past. It highlights the sustained effort or circumstances that allowed for this state.

Common error

Avoid using "had been maintained" when a simple past tense ("was maintained") is sufficient. "Had been maintained" is most appropriate when describing a past action that occurred before another past action or time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been maintained" functions as a passive past perfect construction, indicating that an action of maintaining occurred over a period leading up to a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show it's used to describe states of preservation, adherence to standards, or sustained effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been maintained" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe something kept in a specific condition over a period leading up to a point in the past. As Ludwig AI states, it's typical to indicate the continued effort or circumstances that allowed for the state. While alternatives exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is found across various contexts, from news to scientific publications, with a tendency toward a neutral to formal register. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the sustained nature of the maintenance before a specific past event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was kept up

Replaces "maintained" with a more informal phrasal verb, implying continued effort to keep something in good condition.

was preserved

Focuses on keeping something intact or unaltered, often with historical or cultural significance.

had been preserved

Similar to "was preserved" but emphasizes the past perfect tense.

was sustained

Highlights the ability to continue or prolong something over a period of time, often against challenges.

was upheld

Suggests maintaining a principle, law, or tradition, emphasizing adherence to a standard.

remained in good condition

Replaces the single verb with a descriptive phrase, emphasizing the state of being well-kept.

was conserved

Implies protecting something from damage or depletion, often related to natural resources or energy.

had been conserved

Similar to "was conserved" but emphasizes the past perfect tense.

was in a well-kept state

Similar to "remained in good condition", emphasizing the passive voice and a focus on the state of the object.

was retained

Focuses on keeping something within a system or possession.

FAQs

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

Use "had been maintained" to describe something that was kept in a specific condition over a period of time in the past. For example, "The equipment "had been maintained" regularly to ensure optimal performance" indicates that the maintenance occurred over a period before a specific point in the past.

What are some alternatives to "had been maintained"?

You can use alternatives such as "was kept up", "was preserved", or "was sustained" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "had been maintained"?

Yes, it's incorrect if the context only requires a simple past tense. "Had been maintained" is best used when describing a past action completed before another point in the past. If there's no prior past event for reference, "was maintained" might be more appropriate.

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

"Had been maintained" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, emphasizing a longer period of maintenance. "Was maintained" simply states that something was maintained at some point in the past, without necessarily implying a duration or a prior event.