had been positioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been positioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a state or action that occurred in the past and has relevance to a later point in time. Example: "The equipment had been positioned strategically to maximize efficiency during the operation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

In the 28 that had been positioned, changes were found in only 3 TMJs (11%) postoperatively.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

The third ladder had been positioned so that he could descend to freedom.

The New Yorker

César Azpilicueta had been positioned ahead of Branislav Ivanovic to offer the Serb greater protection.

The Guardian - Sport

An array of more than 70 ships had been positioned in the atoll around the site of the test.

The Guardian - Arts

A car had been positioned along the route with a sign across the windshield: "Mr. Trump, Fuck U".

The New Yorker

Dozens of pigs, sheep, goats, rats and guinea pigs had been positioned on vessels to study the effects of radioactivity.

The Guardian - Arts

There wasn't a single shipping container or generator that had been positioned in the territories without a reason.

The New Yorker

"This hat was like the roof on a steeple — as square as if it had been positioned with instruments".

The New York Times - Books

The agency said that 139 ambulances had been positioned in New York and another 211 would soon be sent there.

The New York Times

The guns had been positioned crosswise in Jane Doe's open handbag on either the front floor or front seat on the passenger side where she was sitting.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The patron saint of Scots, he quipped, had been positioned to signal the way to the bar.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been positioned" to clearly indicate that the positioning occurred before a specific point in time. This emphasizes the sequence of events and can add clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had been positioned" when the simple past tense ("was positioned") is sufficient. "Had been positioned" is most effective when highlighting the completion of the positioning action before another event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been positioned" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that something was placed or arranged at a specific location before a particular point in the past. This is evident in examples where the positioning precedes another action or event, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been positioned" is a past perfect passive construction widely used across various contexts to describe a state of placement or arrangement prior to a specific point in time. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, science, and academic writing. Alternatives include "had been placed" and "had been located", but the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "had been positioned" when the completion of the positioning action is relevant to a subsequent event, and avoid it when the simple past tense suffices. The frequent usage and clear grammatical function of "had been positioned" make it a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been placed

This alternative replaces "positioned" with "placed", emphasizing the act of putting something in a specific location.

had been located

This alternative focuses on the existence of something in a specific location, rather than the action of positioning.

had been stationed

This alternative suggests a more permanent or official placement, often used in military or organizational contexts.

had been set

This alternative focuses on the act of preparing or arranging something for a specific purpose.

had been arranged

This alternative emphasizes the order or layout of something, suggesting a deliberate organization.

had been installed

This alternative implies a more permanent or fixed placement, often used for equipment or fixtures.

had been aligned

This alternative suggests placement in a specific direction or orientation, often for a specific purpose.

had been established

This alternative focuses on the creation or founding of something in a particular location.

had been assigned

This alternative implies a designated or allocated placement, often by an authority.

had been erected

This alternative suggests building or constructing something in a specific location.

FAQs

How to use "had been positioned" in a sentence?

Use "had been positioned" to indicate that something was placed in a particular spot before another action occurred. For example: "The chairs "had been positioned" before the guests arrived."

What can I say instead of "had been positioned"?

You can use alternatives like "had been placed", "had been located", or "had been stationed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been positioned" or "was positioned"?

"Had been positioned" indicates a past perfect action completed before another point in time. "Was positioned" simply indicates a past action. Use ""had been positioned"" when the positioning's completion is relevant to a subsequent event.

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

"Had been positioned" describes a completed action of positioning, whereas "was being positioned" describes an ongoing action of positioning in the past. The former emphasizes completion, while the latter highlights the process.