had been receptive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been receptive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past state of being open or responsive to ideas, suggestions, or feedback. Example: "Throughout the discussions, she had been receptive to the team's input, which fostered a collaborative environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

She said that airport and airline officials had been receptive to the idea.

The New York Times

At a midday press briefing, Stewart said the lawmakers had been receptive, but that wasn't enough to shake his cynicism.

The Guardian

Afterward, Mr. Allen said that Mr. Rove and Mr. Card had been receptive to the case they had presented.

The New York Times

Some Democrats who had been receptive to the issue, and took financial and organizational support from gay activists, grew squeamish.

The New York Times

Archdeacon Michael S. Kendall, the housing chairman of the Commission of Religious Leaders of New York City, said the mayor and the governor had been receptive.

The New York Times

As Ranieri looked on, it was obvious the players had been receptive to what he had said to them prior to kick-off as well.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Not everyone in Yerevan has been receptive.

The New York Times - Arts

But few employers have been receptive.

The New York Times

And the White House has been receptive.

The New York Times

"Generally speaking the towns have been receptive to the model legislation," Ms. O'Garrow said.

The New York Times

He has been receptive when a player requests time to attend a tribal ceremony.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been receptive" to describe a past state of openness to new ideas or suggestions, especially when emphasizing a positive reaction to proposals or feedback. For instance, "The team had been receptive to suggestions for improvement, leading to a more efficient workflow."

Common error

Avoid using "had been receptive" when describing a current or future state. This phrase refers to a completed action in the past. For example, it's incorrect to say "The team had been receptive to new ideas now"; instead, use "The team is receptive to new ideas now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been receptive" functions as part of the verb phrase, indicating a past state of being open and responsive to ideas or suggestions. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been receptive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a past state of openness and responsiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, and serves to communicate that someone was willing to consider new ideas, suggestions, or feedback. Remember to use it to accurately indicate completed actions in the past and consider alternatives like "had been open to" or "had been responsive to" to tailor your message with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been open to

Focuses on the willingness to consider new ideas or suggestions.

had been responsive to

Highlights the act of reacting quickly and positively.

had been amenable to

Highlights a willingness to agree or comply with something.

had welcomed the idea of

Emphasizes the positive reception of a concept.

had shown interest in

Emphasizes the display of curiosity or engagement.

had favorably considered

Focuses on the positive evaluation of an idea or proposal.

had been inclined to accept

Indicates a predisposition toward agreement.

had taken kindly to

Suggests a positive and welcoming reaction.

had embraced the concept of

Suggests a more enthusiastic and complete acceptance.

had been understanding of

Highlights empathy and acceptance of circumstances.

FAQs

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

Use "had been receptive" to describe someone's past openness to suggestions or ideas. For example, "The management "had been receptive" to the employee's proposal during the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "had been receptive"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been open to", "had been amenable to", or "had been responsive to" depending on the context.

Is "had been receptive" formal or informal?

"Had been receptive" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "had been receptive" and "is receptive"?

"Had been receptive" indicates a past state of openness, while "is receptive" describes a current state. For example, "The client "had been receptive" to our ideas last year, but now "is receptive" to a different approach".