had been reminded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been reminded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone received a reminder about something in the past, often in a context where the reminder is relevant to a current situation. Example: "She had been reminded of the meeting several times, yet she still forgot to attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Lee said all staff had been reminded of the importance of recording information accurately.

The Guardian

Preston's testimony changed the tone of the gathering: it was as if everyone had been reminded what was at stake.

The New Yorker

At first he made a small grunt of disgust, but later that turned into a sigh of acquiescence, as if he had been reminded of a chore.

The New Yorker

Reporters had been reminded that "they must not eavesdrop on Royal conversations and they must not make any direct approaches to Royal visitors".

The New Yorker

He had been reminded of our visit just before we arrived, and he flung his arms around Deborah the moment she entered.

The New Yorker

Fifa said both teams had been reminded before Friday's match about its rules and that, as a result, Jordan had decided not to select several players.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Well, now we've been reminded.

Independent

This week, we've been reminded again.

The New Yorker

Clemens has been reminded of his age during this series.

The New York Times - Sports

And they have been reminded never to trust the Tories.

The Guardian

We have been reminded of a simpler time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been reminded" to emphasize that the reminder occurred before a specific event or time in the past. This helps establish a clear sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past passive voice ("was reminded") when the past perfect tense ("had been reminded") is more appropriate to indicate that the reminder preceded another past action. Ensure the tense accurately reflects the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been reminded" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that someone was the recipient of a reminding action that occurred before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been reminded" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in the past perfect passive voice. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for indicating that someone received a reminder before a specific event in the past. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig's examples, and can be used in formal, neutral, and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure the past perfect tense is appropriate to convey the correct sequence of events and prevent potential tense errors. Consider alternatives like "was reminded" or "received a reminder" depending on the specific nuance you aim to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reminded

Uses a simpler past tense passive voice instead of the past perfect, suggesting a more immediate or recent reminder.

received a reminder

Focuses on the act of receiving a reminder, often implying a more formal or documented communication.

had their memory jogged

Emphasizes the restoration of a memory rather than a simple prompting.

had it brought to their attention

Highlights the act of something being called to someone's attention, often implying a sense of surprise or oversight.

were prompted to recall

Focuses on the act of being encouraged to remember something.

were made aware again

Stresses the regaining of awareness, often after a period of forgetfulness or neglect.

had it reinforced

Indicates that a previous understanding was strengthened through repetition or emphasis.

had their attention drawn to

Highlights the act of having attention directed towards something specific.

were enlightened again

Suggests a renewed understanding or realization, often implying a sense of discovery.

were cautioned once more

Emphasizes the delivery of a warning for something that has already occurred

FAQs

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

"Had been reminded" indicates that someone received a reminder before a particular point in the past. For example, "She "had been reminded" of the deadline, so she submitted her work on time."

What are some alternatives to "had been reminded"?

Alternatives include "was reminded", "received a reminder", or "had their memory jogged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both "was reminded" and ""had been reminded"" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. Use "was reminded" for a simple past reminder, and ""had been reminded"" to emphasize that the reminder occurred before another past event.

What's the difference between "had been reminded" and "was reminded"?

"Was reminded" is in the simple past tense, while ""had been reminded"" is in the past perfect tense. The past perfect emphasizes that the reminding action happened before another action in the past. For instance, "She "had been reminded" of the meeting, so she arrived early" implies the reminder happened before her arrival.