had been practiced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been practiced" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action was performed repeatedly or regularly in the past before another action occurred. Example: "The technique had been practiced for years before the final performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

The two previous cross-sectional studies [ 32, 35] could not identify the type of TC (among dozens currently being practiced worldwide) that had been practiced by the women included in the study.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Torture had been practiced in interrogations.

The Washington Post

Experimental rafts were moored in shallow water (1 2 m) at fixed positions where no aquaculture had been practiced.

Aquacultural Engineering

The process, which had been practiced repeatedly, took less than an hour.

The New York Times

This method had been practiced in the camp at least since August 2002.

The Guardian

Purification, which had been practiced since the time of ancient Shintō, was given much deeper spiritual meanings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He had been practicing law in Riverhead.

The New Yorker

He had been practicing the line.

The New York Times

He had been practicing his American accent, he explained.

The New York Times - Style

They had been practicing or playing every day for weeks.

The New York Times

The Stromberg family had been practicing the rite for generations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the passive voice, as in "had been practiced", ensure the subject of the sentence is clear. If necessary, include a "by" phrase to specify who or what performed the action, enhancing clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been practiced" when the action is ongoing or continues to the present. Instead, use present perfect tenses (e.g., "has been practiced") or past tenses (e.g., "was practiced") to accurately reflect the timing of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been practiced" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates an action that was performed or a skill that was honed repeatedly or regularly over a period in the past, before another action or event occurred. Ludwig confirms this construction is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been practiced" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect passive construction used to indicate an action or custom that occurred repeatedly or regularly in the past before another event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this structure appears frequently in science, news media, and encyclopedias, conveying sequence and providing context. When writing, ensure to use this structure to clearly show past actions completed before other events. As a tip to prevent confusion, avoid using it for actions continuing to the present and instead use present perfect or past tenses to accurately reflect the timing of the action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been implemented

Focuses on the formal execution or application of something.

had been utilized

Emphasizes the practical use of something for a particular purpose.

had been employed

Highlights the active use of a method or technique.

had been exercised

Suggests the use of a skill or right.

had been followed

Indicates adherence to a rule or procedure.

had been conducted

Refers to the carrying out of a process or activity.

had been observed

Emphasizes the act of watching or noticing something over time.

had been traditionally done

Highlights that a custom or activity has history and it's typically related to heritage or culture.

had been conventionally performed

Emphasizes adherence to established norms or standards in the execution of an action.

was a long-standing practice

Highlights the enduring nature and historical establishment of the practice.

FAQs

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

The phrase "had been practiced" indicates an action that occurred repeatedly or regularly in the past before another action or time. For example, "The technique "had been practiced" for years before the final performance."

What are some alternatives to "had been practiced"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had been implemented", "had been utilized", or "was a long-standing practice".

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

The choice depends on the timing. "Has been practiced" implies the action started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. "Had been practiced" indicates the action occurred and finished in the past before another past action.

What is the difference between "was practiced" and "had been practiced"?

"Was practiced" refers to a simple past action, while "had been practiced" refers to an action completed before another point in the past. The latter establishes a sequence of events, providing context that "was practiced" might lack.