had been notified

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been notified" is correct and usable in written English.
This is a past perfect verb phrase, which expresses an action that was completed before another point in the past. For example: "The staff had been notified of the new safety guidelines before the workshop began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Anti-terrorism officers had been notified.

The Guardian

She said parents had been notified.

The New York Times

Admiral Landry said President Obama had been notified.

The New York Times

The families of both victims had been notified.

The Guardian

The office said the victims' families had been notified.

The New York Times

They, too, had been notified about the situation.

The Guardian

Curtis Wright said Lorenzen's father, Herb Wright, had been notified by the police.

The New York Times

Newspaper reporters and a television crew had been notified of the protest in advance.

The New Yorker

Mr. Ai signed a document saying he had been notified he owed back taxes.

The New York Times

She said victims' names would be released after their families had been notified.

The New York Times

He declined to identify the men until their families had been notified.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been notified", ensure the subject receiving the notification is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was notified" when you need to emphasize that the notification happened before another event in the past. Use "had been notified" for past perfect tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been notified" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that someone received a notification prior to a specific point in the past. This construction is used to emphasize the completion of the notification process before another event occurred. Ludwig provides many examples showcasing its appropriate use in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been notified" is a grammatically correct and widely used past perfect passive construction, indicating a prior notification. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It serves to communicate that information has been received before a specific point in the past, helping to establish a clear timeline. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, and while perfectly acceptable in academic or professional writing, remember that alternatives like "was informed" or "received notice" may be appropriate depending on the context. Remember, using "had been notified" correctly can improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was told

A simpler, more direct way of saying information was received.

was informed

Focuses on the reception of information, removing the passive construction and specifying a point in the past.

was made aware

Highlights the process of becoming conscious or knowledgeable about something.

received notice

Emphasizes the act of formally receiving information or a warning, slightly more formal.

was alerted

Suggests a warning or urgent piece of information was conveyed.

was apprised of

Implies a formal and complete briefing was given, often used in professional settings.

was advised

Suggests receiving guidance or a recommendation.

had knowledge of

Indicates a state of possessing information rather than receiving it actively.

knew beforehand

Emphasizes knowing something in advance of an event.

was kept in the loop

Indicates continuous updates and inclusion in communications.

FAQs

How do I use "had been notified" in a sentence?

Use "had been notified" to indicate that someone received a notification before a specific point in the past. For example: "The team "had been notified" of the changes before the meeting started."

What are some alternatives to "had been notified"?

You can use alternatives such as "was informed", "received notice", or "was alerted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was notified" instead of "had been notified"?

It depends on the context. "Was notified" indicates a simple past action, while "had been notified" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. If you need to emphasize that the notification occurred before another past event, use "had been notified".

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

"Had been notified" is a more general term for receiving information. "Was alerted" implies receiving a warning or urgent information. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the information conveyed.