had been ordered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been ordered" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an example of the past perfect tense, which is used to describe an action that had already happened before another action began. For example, "The books had been ordered weeks before they arrived in the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They had been ordered into the fight.

The New York Times

The airplane refueling trucks had been ordered.

The New York Times

An investigation had been ordered into the shooting, she said.

The New York Times

A few copies had been ordered online by British residents.

The Economist

Wild nettles had been ordered but hadn't arrived.

The New Yorker

She had been ordered by doctors to rest, she said.

The New York Times

A third attack on that hill had been ordered.

The New York Times

He had been ordered to shoot -- and so he shot.

The New York Times - Magazine

It delayed delivery of aircraft that had been ordered.

The New York Times

He said the cable had been ordered but hadn't arrived.

The New York Times - Arts

The hostess added that rugs had been ordered.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been ordered", ensure the context clearly establishes the sequence of events, showing that the ordering occurred before another action or time in the past. For example: "The evacuation "had been ordered", so they started to pack their belongings".

Common error

Avoid using "had been ordered" when a simple past tense form is sufficient. For example, instead of "He had been ordered to leave, and then he leaves", use "He was ordered to leave, and then he left".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been ordered" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that someone or something received an order or instruction at a point in the past, prior to another event also in the past. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been ordered" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote that an instruction or command took place before another event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its prevalence across various domains. This construction is particularly common in news and media, wiki, and science contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clear sequencing of events and avoid redundancy when simple past tense suffices. Remember that it serves to illustrate how prior commands or instructions influenced subsequent actions or states, adding context and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was mandated

Focuses on the compulsory nature of the directive.

was instructed

Highlights the element of teaching or guiding involved in the directive.

was directed

Emphasizes the directional aspect of the command.

had been commanded

Suggests a stronger, more authoritative instruction.

was prescribed

Implies a more formal or official directive, often in medical or legal contexts.

was decreed

Signifies an official order or proclamation.

was stipulated

Highlights that the action was a required condition of an agreement.

was designated

Focuses on the act of formally assigning or specifying a task or role.

was commissioned

Suggests the authorization of something, like a piece of work.

was authorized

Implies formal approval or permission for the action.

FAQs

How is "had been ordered" used in a sentence?

Use "had been ordered" to indicate that an instruction or command was given and completed before another action took place. For example: "The troops "had been ordered" to retreat before the enemy arrived".

What are some alternatives to "had been ordered"?

You can use alternatives like "was instructed", "was directed", or "was mandated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been ordered" instead of "had been ordered"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Has been ordered" indicates that something is currently ordered, while "had been ordered" indicates something was ordered in the past before another event. "The shipment has been ordered and will arrive soon" versus "The shipment "had been ordered" before the price increase".

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

"Was ordered" indicates a simple past action: "He "was ordered" to report for duty". "Had been ordered" indicates an action completed before another past action: "He "had been ordered" to report for duty before the invasion began".