Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
had been recognised
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "had been recognised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something was acknowledged or identified in the past, often in relation to a specific event or context. Example: "After years of hard work, she had been recognised for her contributions to the field of science."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Alternative expressions(20)
had been acknowledged
had been identified
was recognised
had been distinguished
has been recognised
had been discovered
had been categorized
had been ignored
had been endorsed
had been issued
had been categorised
had been realised
had been characterised
had been accepted
had been registered
had been diagnosed
had been used
had been assigned
had been done
had been shown
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
So we had been recognised..
News & Media
So we had been recognised...
News & Media
But way before The Ladykillers it had been recognised they were co-creators.
News & Media
They were proud, too, that their indomitable spirit had been recognised.
News & Media
But his contribution had been recognised and praised by his fellow islanders.
News & Media
The hurt done to her son, she felt, had been recognised at last.
News & Media
He worked at the morgue, he said, and among the bodies brought in, Victor's had been recognised.
News & Media
By then, the emergency in Malawi, Zimbabwe and elsewhere had been recognised, the plans for distributing food were in place.
News & Media
Lanet told me that the man was angry that Becca and I had been recognised as warriors.
News & Media
A school inspector in Toulouse said that the boy had been recognised by former schoolmates in the city after they watched the chilling video on social media.
News & Media
By 1997, the poor performance of London's schools had been recognised for some time and had been well documented in the press.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "had been recognised", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the recognizing and what the object of recognition was. This clarifies the sentence and avoids ambiguity.
Common error
Avoid using "had been recognised" excessively, as it can lead to passive and wordy sentences. Consider rephrasing to an active voice to make the writing more direct and engaging.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "had been recognised" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of recognition occurred and was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts.
Frequent in
News & Media
60%
Science
20%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Formal & Business
5%
Academia
3%
Reference
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "had been recognised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive perfect construction. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for conveying that an act of recognition was completed before a specific time in the past. It commonly appears in news, scientific, and general writing, indicating its broad applicability. When using the phrase, clarity regarding who or what did the recognizing is essential to avoid ambiguity. While acceptable, overuse of the passive voice should be avoided. Alternatives like "had been acknowledged", "had been identified", or "had been distinguished" can add variety to writing.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
had previously been acknowledged
Highlights that the acknowledgement took place before the current context.
had earlier been identified
Emphasizes the precedence of the identification event.
was formerly acknowledged
Emphasizes a past acknowledgement, suggesting a shift in current status or perspective.
was once identified
Implies that a recognition occurred at a specific point in the past.
was previously identified
Focuses on the act of identification rather than acknowledgement or validation.
was formerly validated
Stresses that the validation happened in the past.
had formerly been distinguished
Indicates that the act of distinguishing occurred in a prior state or time.
was earlier distinguished
Highlights the act of setting apart or differentiating something in the past.
was earlier authenticated
Highlights the act of proving something's authenticity in the past.
was previously accredited
Focuses on formal approval or validation, rather than simple recognition.
FAQs
How can I use "had been recognised" in a sentence?
Use "had been recognised" to indicate that someone or something was acknowledged or identified at a point in the past before another action took place. For example, "By the time the award ceremony began, her achievements "had been recognised" by her peers".
What is the difference between "had been recognised" and "was recognised"?
"Had been recognised" indicates a past perfect passive construction, referring to an action completed before another point in the past. "Was recognised" is simple past passive, indicating an action completed in the past. For example, "The problem "had been recognised" before the new regulations were implemented" versus "The problem "was recognised" last year".
What can I say instead of "had been recognised"?
Alternatives include "had been acknowledged", "had been identified", or "had been distinguished" depending on the specific context.
Which is correct, "had been recognised" or "has been recognised"?
"Had been recognised" is used for actions completed before a specific time in the past, whereas "has been recognised" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. For example, "His efforts "had been recognised" by the time he retired," versus "His efforts "has been recognised" with a lifetime achievement award".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested