had been protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was safeguarded in the past, often in a context involving ongoing or completed actions. Example: "The wildlife reserve had been protected for decades, ensuring the survival of endangered species."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Staff had been protected by personal protective equipment and therefore, because of the absence of staff cases and an epidemiologic link, the identification of the cases was delayed.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Mr. Chirac had been protected by immunity from all prosecutions while he was president.

The New York Times

Gerstel's gold and jewelry and currency had been protected from the fire by a safe.

The New Yorker

For years, the Trailhead nest had been protected by a ten-thousand-member force.

The New Yorker

The thinking is that would-be attackers would not know which troops had been protected.

The New York Times

Until Monday, these waters had been protected by two parallel moratoriums.

The New York Times

Since he first trod the boards, Paul had been protected and supported by his family.

The Guardian - Music

The Environment Agency said more than 239,000 properties had been protected by flood defences.

The Guardian

If critical Louisiana wetlands had been protected from development, this could have assuaged some of Katrina's damage.

Columbia University

Trump said during the campaign that he might end the policy and deport students who had been protected by it.

Princeton University

The seawater side of the carbon steel tube sheet had been protected from corrosion by titanium cladding.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been protected", ensure the context clearly establishes what provided the protection. For example, specify by whom or by what means something "had been protected".

Common error

Avoid using "had been protected" when "was protected" or "is protected" is more appropriate. The past perfect tense implies an action completed before another point in the past; ensure this temporal relationship is accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been protected" functions as a passive verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that a subject received protection before a specific point in the past. Ludwig's examples show it describes actions completed prior to another event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been protected" is a versatile construction used to denote a past state of safeguarding, with Ludwig AI confirming its grammatical correctness. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, followed by scientific and academic publications, indicating its broad applicability across various registers. To ensure accuracy, verify the past perfect tense is appropriate, ensure the time frame and context are correct and avoid ambiguity by specifying what provided the protection. By understanding these aspects, writers can effectively use "had been protected" to convey a sense of prior security and preservation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was under protection

States that something was in a state of being protected.

was kept safe

Simple and direct alternative, focusing on the outcome of safety.

was shielded

Emphasizes the act of being covered or sheltered.

was defended

Focuses on the act of defense rather than the state of being protected.

was secured

Highlights the action of making something safe or firm.

was guarded

Emphasizes the act of watching over to prevent harm.

enjoyed protection

Highlights the experience of receiving protection.

was preserved

Focuses on maintaining something in its original state.

benefited from protection

Emphasizes the positive outcome of being protected.

was immune

Indicates exemption from harm or influence.

FAQs

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

Use "had been protected" to describe something that received protection before a specific time in the past. For example, "The city "had been protected" by a wall for centuries before the wall was destroyed".

What are some alternatives to "had been protected"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was defended", "was shielded", or "was kept safe" to convey a similar meaning.

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

"Was protected" describes a single event or a state of protection at a specific time in the past. "Had been protected" indicates a state of protection that existed before a particular point in the past. The latter establishes a sequence of past events.

Can I use "had been protected" in the present tense?

No, "had been protected" is in the past perfect tense and should only be used to describe events completed before another point in the past. To describe present protection, use "is protected".