had been predetermined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been predetermined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was decided or established in advance, often before a certain event or action took place. Example: "The outcome of the competition had been predetermined by the judges before the participants even began their performances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"It was as if everything had been predetermined," he said.

The New York Times

Man could not will his salvation; his future state had been predetermined by God.

The New Yorker

In a statement after the auction, Rosneft said it had been prepared to offer $2.5 billion for the Slavneft stake, and that it would take legal action to overturn the results, which it said had been predetermined.

The New York Times

A few hours before the meeting, according to a White House official, some of Trump's aides wondered why they could not bring in the press corps and were told it had been "predetermined" that there would be no access.

The Washington Post

In an interview with the "Today" show on NBC, he described the ban on his practicing as "a little bump in the road" and said the council's decision had been predetermined "from the outset".

The New York Times - Health

The competitiveness of the first two games of this division series -- both were tied through six innings -- created a feeling that was less tension than inevitability, that the outcome had been predetermined, with only the details left to unfold.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

But since 1987, everything about the debates has been predetermined by the party bosses who run Washington.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ever since Warner arrived, the coaches have insisted that nothing has been predetermined.

The New York Times - Sports

People spend the vast majority of their time in public spaces in which everything has been predetermined for us.

University of California, Berkeley

"Economic policy for the near term has been predetermined, and I don't see any deviation from that".

The New York Times

Jenny is a tragic figure, in the real sense of the word: she can't change the course of her life; everything has been predetermined.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been predetermined" to convey that a decision or outcome was established in advance, often implying a lack of flexibility or influence from current events. It's particularly effective in describing situations where the result was known or decided beforehand.

Common error

Avoid using "had been predetermined" when you simply mean something was 'planned' or 'scheduled'. The phrase carries a stronger connotation of inevitability or lack of agency, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. For instance, don't use it if you mean '"had been planned"' but in reality there was no certainty or inevitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been predetermined" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being decided or established in advance. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a valid and frequently used construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been predetermined" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something was decided or established in advance. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly correct and usable in written English. It finds its usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using this phrase, ensure the connotation of inevitability aligns with your intended meaning, differentiating it from simple planning or scheduling. Alternatives like "was already decided" or "was prearranged" can offer slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was predetermined

Uses a slightly different tense, keeping the core meaning but with a more active voice.

was a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome was so predictable as to be virtually certain.

was prearranged

Highlights the planning and arrangement aspect of the predetermination.

was pre-planned

Highlights the planning aspect, emphasizing that the outcome was part of a prior plan.

was already decided

Focuses on the decision-making aspect, emphasizing that the decision was made previously.

was set in stone

Emphasizes the immutability of the decision, indicating that it cannot be changed.

was inevitable

Focuses on the certainty of the outcome, indicating that it was impossible to avoid.

was foreordained

Implies a sense of destiny or fate, suggesting that the outcome was inevitable.

was destined

Suggests a sense of fate or destiny, implying that the outcome was unavoidable.

was scripted

Implies that the outcome was carefully planned and executed, like a scene from a play or movie.

FAQs

What does "had been predetermined" mean?

The phrase "had been predetermined" means that something was decided or established in advance. It often implies that the outcome was set and not subject to change, regardless of intervening events or circumstances.

How can I use "had been predetermined" in a sentence?

You can use "had been predetermined" to describe situations where the outcome was already decided. For example, "The result of the election "was a foregone conclusion" because the winner "had been predetermined" by the party leadership."

What are some alternatives to "had been predetermined"?

Some alternatives to "had been predetermined" include "was prearranged", "was already decided", or "was set in stone". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "had been predetermined" formal or informal?

The phrase "had been predetermined" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the writing than on the phrase itself.