Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
had been modification
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "had been modification" is not correct in English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of tenses and forms. An example of a correct usage could be "There had been a modification to the plan."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
"If there had been modification of toilets, she might have avoided the injuries," Ms. Leibrock says.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
57 human-written examples
In some cases, there had been modifications to these existing management practices in response to variable conditions.
Science
Surely, though, as he approaches his 41st birthday, there have been modifications, the compromises we all make within relationships, at home or in the workplace?
News & Media
Furthermore, there have been modifications to the procedures used to estimate the productivity indices.
Although there have been modifications to this theory, this has predominantly been in the realm of alternative interpretations of formulae and models rather than the simplification or reduction of levels (Cuvalay, 1995; Hannay and Bolkestein, 1998).
Science
Over the years there have been modifications in Batman: The Ride color schemes, with more incorporating yellows, blues, and purples.
Wiki
Most non-SPE online salt removal approaches have been modifications of the approach pioneered by the Smith group using a cellulose dialysis tube.
Science
It's a good idea to read the Publication 972 every year before you file just in case there have been modifications to the tax code.
Wiki
For thousands of years, she said, tool-use had been "a physical modification of self.
News & Media
One of the most frustrated Chase employees I met was Domonique Perez, whose job was to round up the documents from borrowers who had been granted temporary modifications.
News & Media
Until a recent revision of the toxic substance law, there had been no major modifications of American environmental law since 1990.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing past changes, ensure your sentence includes necessary articles and prepositions. For example, use "there had been a modification" instead of "had been modification".
Common error
Avoid omitting articles like 'a' or 'the' before 'modification'. Saying "had been modification" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "there had been a modification" or similar phrasing.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "had been modification" functions as a noun phrase, but it is grammatically incomplete. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase lacks necessary articles and prepositions for correct usage. A complete sentence would typically include "there" and "a" to form a grammatically sound statement.
Frequent in
Science
33%
News & Media
33%
Wiki
33%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "had been modification" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase requires additional words to be grammatically correct, like "there" and "a", to form "there had been a modification". The primary issue is the omission of necessary articles. While examples exist, the phrase's incorrectness diminishes its usability across all registers, particularly in formal and professional contexts. Therefore, it is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
there had been a modification
Adds 'there' and 'a' for grammatical correctness, indicating a modification occurred.
there had been an alteration
Replaces 'modification' with 'alteration' to provide a synonymous option.
a modification had been implemented
Uses a passive construction to emphasize the action of implementing the modification.
a change had been made
Uses a simpler term 'change' instead of 'modification'.
the system had been modified
Emphasizes the result of the modification on a specific system.
modifications had been applied
Focuses on the action of applying modifications.
a revision had been completed
Replaces 'modification' with 'revision' to suggest a more formal correction.
adjustments had been introduced
Uses 'adjustments' to denote smaller, less significant changes.
the design had been adapted
Uses 'adapted' to focus on how the design was altered to fit a new purpose.
improvements had been integrated
Highlights that the modifications were made to improve something.
FAQs
How can I correctly use the phrase "had been modification" in a sentence?
The phrase "had been modification" is grammatically incorrect. A correct alternative is to use "there had been a modification", which includes the necessary article and preposition.
What is a more grammatically sound alternative to "had been modification"?
Alternatives include "there had been a modification", "a modification had been implemented", or "the system had been modified".
Is "had been modification" considered formal or informal English?
Given that "had been modification" is grammatically incorrect, it should be avoided in both formal and informal contexts. Always opt for grammatically correct alternatives.
What is the difference between "had been modification" and "there had been a modification"?
"Had been modification" is grammatically incorrect due to the omission of necessary articles and prepositions. "There had been a modification" is the correct way to phrase it, indicating that a change occurred.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested