had been manipulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been manipulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been influenced or controlled in the past. Example: "The data had been manipulated to present a more favorable outcome than what actually occurred."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Furthermore, even when subjects correctly indicated that a photo had been manipulated, they could not necessarily locate the manipulation.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

We measured people's accuracy in determining whether a photo had been manipulated or not and their ability to locate manipulations.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

"They had been manipulated," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It later emerged that the editing had been manipulated.

The Guardian - Opinion

He rejected the accusation that the vote had been manipulated.

The New York Times

These effects occurred even though participants reported being unaware that their visual attention had been manipulated.

Journal of Memory and Language

He said Trump had been "manipulated" by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Washington Post

Almost three-quarters (74 per cent) of over-25s reported that they had been manipulated.

Independent

A private research company found that those videos had been manipulated and were unreliable.

The New York Times

Mr. Murray also argued that Mr. Hurley had been manipulated by the scheme's organizers.

The New York Times

Some opposition leaders expressed suspicion that Thursday's vote had been manipulated, a charge the authorities denied.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been manipulated", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what was doing the manipulating and what the intended outcome was. Clarity is key to avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid vague statements like "the situation had been manipulated" without specifying how it was manipulated or by whom. Provide concrete details to strengthen your argument and make it more persuasive. Vague statements can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been manipulated" functions as the past perfect passive voice of the verb 'manipulate'. It indicates that an action of manipulation was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been manipulated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe past instances of deliberate influence or control, often carrying negative connotations. Ludwig AI's analysis, together with the examples, confirms that it's most commonly found in news and media, and science-related contexts. When using "had been manipulated", ensure clarity regarding the agent and method of manipulation, and consider alternatives like "had been influenced" or "had been altered" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been influenced

Focuses on the act of affecting someone's decisions or actions without necessarily implying deceit.

had been controlled

Emphasizes the power exerted over someone or something, suggesting a limitation of autonomy.

had been altered

Highlights a change made to something, often implying a deviation from its original state.

had been swayed

Suggests a shift in opinion or belief due to persuasion or influence.

had been directed

Implies guidance or instruction, potentially leading to a specific outcome.

had been exploited

Focuses on the unfair use of someone or something for personal gain.

had been used

A more general term indicating that something or someone was utilized for a specific purpose.

had been stage-managed

Suggests a situation that has been carefully controlled or orchestrated.

had been orchestrated

Similar to 'stage-managed', indicating a planned and coordinated effort to influence an outcome.

had been engineered

Implies a deliberate and skillful arrangement to achieve a particular result.

FAQs

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

Use "had been manipulated" to describe a past action where someone or something was influenced or controlled, often with negative connotations. For example, "The data "had been manipulated" to show better results."

What are some alternatives to "had been manipulated"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had been influenced", "had been altered", or "had been controlled" as alternatives to "had been manipulated".

Is it always negative to say something "had been manipulated"?

While "had been manipulated" often carries a negative connotation, it depends on the context. It generally implies that something was changed or influenced in a way that is misleading or unfair, but it may not always be seen as malicious.

What's the difference between "had been manipulated" and "had been influenced"?

"Had been manipulated" often suggests a more deceptive or forceful influence, whereas "had been influenced" can imply a more subtle or benign effect. Manipulation suggests a deliberate attempt to control or change something, potentially in a negative way, while influence is a broader term.