had been recognized

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been recognized" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something received acknowledgment or validation in the past, often before another event occurred. Example: "Before the award ceremony, she had been recognized for her contributions to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

By 1908, 13 sects had been recognized by the government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That, he said, had been recognized for a couple of decades.

The New York Times - Science

Nevertheless, by 2012 some 29 phyla of bacteria had been recognized within Cavalier-Smith's Bacteria kingdom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Proposition 8 took away marriage rights that had been recognized by California's top court.

The New York Times

For centuries many diseases of dietary deficiency had been recognized, although not well defined.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By then his government had been recognized by most foreign powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I had never heard of the condition, which had been recognized by the American Psychiatric Association only six years earlier.

The New Yorker

Over the ensuing decades, Uncle Sam eventually ratified the ownership realities that had been recognized by communities on the ground.

The New York Times - Magazine

This contradicted earlier reports that he had been recognized and allowed to enter the one-story building.

The New York Times

Even before the war the necessity of coming to terms with the rebellious Hungarians had been recognized.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even after the child had been recognized, his literature on occasion persisted in viewing him as a diminutive adult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been recognized", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what did the recognizing, and what criteria were used for the recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "had been recognized" when the action of recognizing is ongoing or will happen in the future. Use the appropriate present or future tense instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been recognized" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action (recognition) was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

22%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been recognized" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that something was acknowledged or validated prior to a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across diverse fields such as science, news, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "had been acknowledged" and "had been identified" exist, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey. When employing "had been recognized", ensure the context is clear, and the tense aligns with the timeline of events. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and appropriateness in formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been acknowledged

Focuses on the act of acknowledging something, implying acceptance or awareness.

had been identified

Emphasizes the act of discovering or pinpointing something specific.

had been validated

Highlights the confirmation or proof of something's accuracy or legitimacy.

had been established

Suggests that something has been firmly set or proven over time.

had been understood

Focuses on the comprehension or grasp of something's meaning.

had been discovered

Implies the finding or uncovering of something previously unknown.

had been ascertained

Indicates that something has been determined or found out for certain.

had been discerned

Highlights the act of perceiving or recognizing something subtle or obscure.

had been pinpointed

Emphasizes the precise location or identification of something.

had been ratified

Suggests formal approval or confirmation of something, often legally or officially.

FAQs

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

Use "had been recognized" to indicate that something or someone received acknowledgment or validation before a specific point in the past. For example, "Before the ceremony, her work "had been recognized" by the committee".

What are some alternatives to "had been recognized"?

You can use alternatives like "had been acknowledged", "had been identified", or "had been validated" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was recognized" instead of "had been recognized"?

While "was recognized" is grammatically correct, it doesn't necessarily imply that the recognition happened before another event in the past. "Had been recognized" clarifies the sequence of events. Choose the tense that best fits the timeline you're describing.

What is the difference between "had been recognized" and "is recognized"?

"Had been recognized" indicates a past event, while "is recognized" indicates a current state. For example, "Her talent "had been recognized" before she won the award," versus "She "is recognized" as a leader in her field".