had been planned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been planned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was arranged or organized in the past before a certain point in time. Example: "The event had been planned for months before the unexpected cancellation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This had been planned long in advance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I realized this had been planned.

The New York Times

A surprise had been planned.

The New York Times - Arts

This one had been planned for hours.

The New York Times

It had been planned in August.

The New Yorker

Mr. Parker said his departure had been planned.

The New York Times - Tech

According to Israelis, the uprising had been planned months before.

The New Yorker

The building had been planned to encourage diversity.

The New York Times

Two coal-fired plants had been planned by Sunflower.

The Economist

A protest rally had been planned for later Thursday.

The New York Times

Still, a celebration had been planned in the Bronx.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been planned" to emphasize that an event or action was arranged before a specific point in the past. This is especially useful when explaining why something happened or didn't happen as expected.

Common error

Avoid using "had been planned" when the simple past tense ("was planned") is sufficient. The past perfect tense is necessary only when referencing an earlier action or arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been planned" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. This construction indicates that an action (planning) was completed before another point in time. Ludwig shows that this form is commonly used to provide background information or context for a subsequent event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been planned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate that something was arranged or organized prior to a specific point in the past. As highlighted by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news articles, scientific publications, and encyclopedic entries. When writing, be mindful of using the past perfect tense correctly, ensuring it provides necessary context to a prior action. Alternatives like "was scheduled" or "was arranged" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been scheduled

Focuses specifically on setting a time or date for an event or activity.

had been arranged

Emphasizes the organization and preparation involved.

had been prepared

Highlights the steps taken to make something ready.

had been designed

Implies that the planning focused on the structure or functionality of something.

had been intended

Suggests a purpose or aim was set in advance.

had been contemplated

Indicates that the planning involved careful thought and consideration.

had been mapped out

Emphasizes the detailed nature of the planning process.

had been orchestrated

Suggests a complex and carefully managed plan, often with a hidden purpose.

had been drafted

Focuses on the creation of a written plan or proposal.

had been predetermined

Indicates that the outcome was decided in advance, often implying a lack of flexibility.

FAQs

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

Use "had been planned" to describe an action that was scheduled or organized before another event in the past. For example, "The meeting "had been planned" for weeks, but it was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "had been planned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "was scheduled", "was arranged", or "was intended".

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

Yes, "was planned" is often correct and simpler. Use "had been planned" when you need to emphasize that the planning occurred before another point in the past. For example: The parade was planned for months. / The parade "had been planned" for months before the storm hit.

What's the difference between "had been planned" and "was going to be planned"?

"Had been planned" indicates that the planning was completed before a certain point in the past. "Was going to be planned" implies that the planning was intended but may not have actually happened. For example, the party "had been planned" before the restrictions were released. On the other hand, the party was going to be planned, but they released the restrictions so the planning was not needed.