had been presented with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been presented with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was given or introduced to something in the past, often in a formal context. Example: "The committee had been presented with several proposals for the new project during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

This spring, Snyder told me, the "Serial" crew had been presented with an unexpected idea.

The New Yorker

Mr. Louis had been presented with a birthday cake to celebrate his 80th year.

The New York Times - Arts

The appeals court said that the jury had been presented with "overwhelming evidence".

The New York Times

By that stage, according to what Mr. Harris could glean, Secretary Powell had been presented with a menu of options.

The New York Times

I realised I had been presented with an opportunity to say something important about race relations in Boston.

The Guardian - Arts

The previous evening, Miss Gibson had been presented with an award for a many-pleated summer dress of ecru linen.

The New Yorker

Bon appetit.' They had been presented with the coveted gong for best group, then immediately dissolved themselves.

The Guardian

His fans clapped and whooped, because they had been presented with a new opportunity, the ability to recreate tonight's event at home.

The Guardian - Music

But now, in the Internet age, the music world had been presented with a domestic-violence case unfolding in real time.

The New Yorker

If I had been presented with the Aug. 6, 2001, brief (front page, April 11), my conclusion would have been "Good.

The New York Times

They said it was her job to make sure that the president had been presented with the best possible information before the invasion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "had been given" or "had received" in informal context.

Common error

Avoid using "had been presented with" excessively, as it can make your writing sound passive and indirect. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate to create a more direct and engaging tone. For example, instead of "The award had been presented to her", try "She received the award".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been presented with" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts where someone received an opportunity, award, or information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been presented with" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating that someone received or was introduced to something, often in a formal context. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While the phrase is valid, be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for more direct writing. Consider alternatives such as "had received" or "had been given" in less formal contexts. It is important to remember that The examples on Ludwig can provide valuable insights into its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had received

Focuses more directly on the act of receiving something.

had been given

Similar to "had received" but emphasizes the act of giving.

had been offered

Highlights the opportunity or choice involved in receiving something.

had been provided with

Emphasizes the act of supplying or furnishing something.

had been furnished with

More formal than "had been provided with".

had been entrusted with

Implies a sense of responsibility or trust.

had been granted

Suggests a formal or official bestowal.

had been awarded

Typically used for prizes or honors.

had been subjected to

Indicates exposure to something, often negative.

had encountered

Suggests a less formal or planned interaction.

FAQs

What does "had been presented with" mean?

The phrase "had been presented with" means that someone was given or introduced to something, often in a formal or official setting. It implies that the recipient was shown, offered, or given something such as information, an award, or an opportunity.

What are some alternatives to "had been presented with"?

You can use alternatives like "had received", "had been given", or "had been offered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "had been presented with"?

It is appropriate to use "had been presented with" when you want to emphasize the formal or official nature of receiving something. For instance, "The committee had been presented with the proposal" sounds more formal than "The committee received the proposal".

Is "had been presented with" the same as "was presented with"?

While similar, "had been presented with" indicates a completed action in the past relative to another past event, whereas "was presented with" simply describes an event in the past. For example, "After the meeting, she had been presented with an award" implies the presentation happened before a subsequent event. Compare this to: "She was presented with an award at the meeting".