had been repaired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been repaired" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was repaired at some point in the past before another past event. Example: "The car had been repaired before the road trip, ensuring it was safe to drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms. Grider said all had been repaired.

The New York Times

The cracks had been repaired, but they repeatedly reappeared after two years of service.

Engineering Failure Analysis

Ms. Hirschberg said all three of those areas had been repaired.

The New York Times

The boy's cheeks bore slashing scars, which had been repaired in earlier surgeries.

The New York Times

But two weeks ago, Ms. Levin noticed that the sidewalk and front steps had been repaired.

The New York Times

The eight trains had been scheduled to run after cracks found earlier had been repaired.

The New York Times

The nets had been repaired and were ready, and so was his eight-man crew.

The New York Times - Sports

Within 20, two-thirds of all the damaged art had been repaired.

The Guardian - Arts

The plane developed vibrations in its tail, which had been repaired right before the flight.

The New York Times

Navy officials said the craft had been repaired and returned to port.

The Guardian

Twelve weeks after implantation, the original bone defects in the rhBMP-2 treatment groups had been repaired.

Biomaterials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to stress the action that occurred before another in the past, opt for the past perfect passive construction "had been repaired". If the emphasis is not on the sequence, consider using simple past instead like "was repaired".

Common error

Avoid using "had been repaired" when you simply mean something "was repaired" and there is no need to emphasize the completion of the repair before another past event. Using the correct tense ensures clarity and avoids unnecessary complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been repaired" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action (repairing) was completed before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI's examples show how this phrase situates events within a timeline, clarifying sequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been repaired" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive construction. It effectively communicates that a repair action concluded before another past event, often found in News & Media. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. To maximize clarity, ensure the proper tense is employed to highlight the sequence of events, and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "was restored" or "was fixed" where appropriate. The phrase is considered neutral in register and its usage is very common in both written and spoken English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was restored

Focuses on the act of returning something to its original condition, emphasizing renewal.

was fixed

A more general term for making something functional again, simpler and less formal.

had been made good

Indicates that damage or defects have been addressed and resolved.

was mended

Implies repairing something that was broken or torn, often used for fabrics or relationships.

had been overhauled

Suggests a comprehensive repair or renovation, often involving significant changes.

was corrected

Highlights the removal of errors or faults, suitable for abstract concepts or data.

had been remediated

Implies that a problem, especially environmental, has been addressed and resolved.

was rectified

A formal term for setting something right, often used in legal or official contexts.

had been restored to its former glory

Emphasizes the complete renewal and return to a previous, often admired, state.

had been brought back to life

Suggests a revival or renewed functionality after a period of inactivity or disrepair.

FAQs

How does "had been repaired" differ from "was repaired"?

"Had been repaired" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, whereas "was repaired" simply states that the action occurred at some point in the past. The former emphasizes the sequence of events.

What are some alternatives to "had been repaired"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "was restored", "was fixed", or "was mended".

Is it correct to say "the car had been repair" instead of "had been repaired"?

No, "had been repair" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "had been repaired", which uses the past participle of the verb "repair".

Can "had been repaired" be used in the present tense?

No, "had been repaired" is a past perfect passive construction and is only used to describe actions completed before a specific point in the past. Use present or future perfect tenses for events related to present or future actions. For example, "has been repaired" or "will have been repaired".