had been proclaimed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been proclaimed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was officially announced or declared in the past, often in a formal context. Example: "The new law had been proclaimed by the president during a special ceremony."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Maybe they were the bold new leaders they had been proclaimed to be.

The New York Times

Caecina then sided with Vitellius, who had been proclaimed emperor by the troops of Upper and Lower Germany.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1302 the pope reluctantly agreed to accept the third brother, Frederick, who had been proclaimed as king of Sicily.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In 1917 it had been proclaimed that 'every cook should learn to govern the State'," he comments, quoting from Lenin.

The Guardian

Sforza, a condottiere (mercenary general) who had been proclaimed duke by the people of Milan, also was eager to end the costly war.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By the end of the year the area had been proclaimed a goldfield, with the village called Johannesburg as its centre, and many prospectors had moved in.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Many of Mr. Weah's supporters had been proclaiming him the outright winner, and he appeared to be doing better than most political watchers had expected.

The New York Times

Hoover had been proclaiming there was no such thing as a mafia in the United States.

HuffPost

A 7 p.m. curfew, strictly enforced, has been proclaimed.

The New York Times

Operation Green Hunt has been proclaimed as well as denied.

The Guardian - Books

In the United States, it has been proclaimed that no child will be left behind.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been proclaimed" to emphasize the official or formal nature of an announcement or declaration made in the past. It is particularly useful when discussing historical events, legal matters, or official decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "had been proclaimed" when a simple past tense (e.g., "was proclaimed") is sufficient. Overusing the past perfect can make your writing sound overly formal or convoluted, especially in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been proclaimed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action (proclaiming) was completed before a specific point in the past. This highlights the completion of the proclamation before another event or time frame is referenced. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples illustrating the phrase's usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

31%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been proclaimed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to indicate that something was officially announced or declared at a specific point in the past, prior to another event. Its usage spans across various authoritative sources, including encyclopedias, news media, and academic publications. The analysis indicates a formal or neutral register, making it suitable for contexts requiring factual reporting and historical accuracy. When writing, remember that while grammatically correct, overuse in informal contexts may sound unnatural. Alternatives such as "was declared" or "was announced" might be more appropriate in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was declared

Changes the verb tense and voice while maintaining the core meaning of a formal announcement.

was announced

Replaces 'proclaimed' with a more general term for making something known publicly.

was officially stated

Adds emphasis on the official nature of the announcement.

had been decreed

Implies an authoritative order or decision.

had been inaugurated

Suggests a formal commencement or induction.

was made public

Focuses on the act of making information accessible to everyone.

was brought to light

Emphasizes the revelation or discovery of something previously unknown.

had been revealed

Implies unveiling something previously hidden.

was promulgated

A more formal and legalistic synonym for 'proclaimed'.

was ordained

Suggests a divinely inspired or religiously sanctioned declaration.

FAQs

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

The phrase "had been proclaimed" indicates that something was officially announced or declared at a point in the past, before another event also in the past. For example, "The treaty "had been proclaimed" before the war began."

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

You can use alternatives like "was declared", "was announced", or "was officially stated" depending on the context.

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

The phrase "has been proclaimed" indicates something that was proclaimed in the past and continues to be in effect or relevant now. "Had been proclaimed" refers to something proclaimed in the past, before another point in the past. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and timeline.

What's the difference between "proclaimed" and "declared"?

"Proclaimed" often implies a more formal or public announcement, especially by someone in authority. "Declared" can be used in a broader sense for any announcement, whether formal or informal. Both words can often be used interchangeably, but "proclaimed" carries a stronger sense of officialdom.