had been rewritten

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been rewritten" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was revised or modified in the past before another event occurred. Example: "The report had been rewritten several times before the final version was submitted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

All the rules had been rewritten.

The New York Times - Books

Shakespeare had been rewritten so that Caesar shouted "Hail Schumer".

The New York Times

Colonel Blickensderfer said the report, released in March, had been rewritten repeatedly to gain consensus.

The New York Times

It's almost as if Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus" had been rewritten by Joe Orton.

The New York Times

Now, the script I had imagined since my childhood had been rewritten.

The New York Times

Well, he would have lapped up the way the script had been rewritten here.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Again, though, history has been rewritten somewhat.

Independent

A bit of history has been rewritten.

The Guardian - Music

Large parts of the CXC region library have been rewritten.

Harvard University

It has been rewritten to include the entire series.

The Economist

Shakespeare's plays have been rewritten for centuries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been rewritten", ensure that the context clearly defines what was rewritten and why. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "had been rewritten". While grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound weak or indirect. Opt for active voice constructions where appropriate for a more engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been rewritten" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. This indicates that an action (rewriting) was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples confirm its usage in describing completed revisions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been rewritten" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive construction, employed to denote that a rewriting action concluded before another past occurrence. As Ludwig confirms, it suits various contexts, particularly in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific domains. When employing this phrase, maintain clarity about the subject and reason for rewriting. Ludwig AI analysis emphasizes its neutral register, rendering it appropriate for both formal and informal scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was revised

Focuses on the act of revision without necessarily implying a complete overhaul.

was reworked

Suggests more extensive changes and improvements were made.

was redrafted

Highlights the process of drafting again, implying significant changes.

was modified

Indicates changes were made, but the extent of the alteration is not specified.

was altered

Similar to "modified", suggesting a change in form or character.

was amended

Implies specific changes or additions were made to correct or improve something.

was reshaped

Suggests a change in the overall form or structure.

was overhauled

Implies a complete and thorough revision or reconstruction.

was reconstructed

Suggests that something was rebuilt or recreated, implying a major change.

was transformed

Indicates a significant change in form or appearance.

FAQs

How do I use "had been rewritten" in a sentence?

Use "had been rewritten" to indicate that something was revised or modified before a specific point in the past. For example, "The script "had been rewritten" before the actors rehearsed."

What can I say instead of "had been rewritten"?

You can use alternatives like "was revised", "was amended", or "was reworked" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "had been rewritten" and "was rewritten"?

"Had been rewritten" indicates that the rewriting was completed before another past event, while "was rewritten" simply states that the rewriting occurred at some point in the past without specifying a relationship to another event.

Is it correct to say "has been rewritten" instead of "had been rewritten"?

No, "has been rewritten" is present perfect tense and refers to an action completed recently or still relevant. "Had been rewritten" is past perfect, referring to an action completed before another point in the past. Use "has been rewritten" when the action's impact is still felt or is recent, but use "had been rewritten" when referring to an action completed before another past event.