had been rebuilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been rebuilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was rebuilt at some point in the past before another past event. Example: "The bridge had been rebuilt after the storm caused significant damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had been rebuilt.

The New York Times

Some of the wooden dachas had been rebuilt as year-round residences.

The New Yorker

Even so, he estimated that half the homes that had been rebuilt included underground shelters.

The New York Times

Father Ballard noted that the church had been rebuilt after a devastating fire in 1914.

The New York Times

In 1859 the seat of government was moved back to San Salvador, which had been rebuilt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Roads had been rebuilt, sidewalks were restored and street lamps reappeared.

The New York Times

Four years ago, he moved to Hongwan Temple, after it had been rebuilt.

The New York Times

It pictured all the bombed bridges that had been rebuilt in the British zone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A school had been rebuilt and a health clinic had reopened.

The New York Times

St James Parkk had been rebuilt for a night like this.

The Guardian - Sport

It had been rebuilt as a single unit, with no interstices between houses.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been rebuilt" to clearly indicate that a structure or system's reconstruction was completed before a specific point in the past. This helps establish a clear sequence of events in your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "had been rebuilt" when the context only requires a simple past tense ("was rebuilt") or present perfect tense ("has been rebuilt"). Ensure the past perfect tense is necessary to establish the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been rebuilt" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It describes an action (rebuilding) that was completed before a specific time in the past, with the subject receiving the action. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been rebuilt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past perfect passive construction. It indicates that something was rebuilt before a certain point in the past, often to provide background information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and found across various contexts, especially in news media, encyclopedias, and wikis. While it's suitable for neutral to formal writing, ensure the past perfect tense is necessary to convey the correct sequence of events. Consider alternatives like ""had been reconstructed"" or ""had been restored"" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been reconstructed

Uses "reconstructed" as a direct synonym, emphasizing a careful, structural recreation.

had been restored

Focuses on returning something to its original condition, potentially including repairs.

had been renovated

Suggests improvements and updates were made during the rebuilding process.

had been remodeled

Indicates a significant change in the design or structure during the rebuilding.

had been repaired

Implies fixing damage rather than a complete reconstruction.

had been re-established

Focuses on reinstating something that was previously removed or disrupted.

had been reconfigured

Emphasizes a change in the arrangement or layout during the rebuilding.

had been refurbished

Suggests the addition of new features or cosmetic improvements during rebuilding.

had been regenerated

Indicates a renewal or revival, often used in biological or metaphorical contexts.

had been revamped

Implies a modernization or upgrade during the rebuilding process.

FAQs

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

Use "had been rebuilt" to describe a situation where something was rebuilt before another event in the past. For example: "The city "had been rebuilt" after the earthquake, so the tourists started returning."

What are some alternatives to "had been rebuilt"?

Alternatives include "had been reconstructed", "had been restored", or "had been renovated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Was rebuilt" indicates a simple past action, while ""had been rebuilt"" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example: "The house was rebuilt last year" vs. "The house "had been rebuilt" before the new owners moved in."

Is it correct to say "had been rebuild" instead of "had been rebuilt"?

No, "had been rebuild" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of "rebuild" is "rebuilt", so the correct phrase is ""had been rebuilt"".