had been scored

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been scored" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the final whistle blew, three goals had been scored by the home team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All the goals had been scored in the first period.

The New York Times - Sports

Entering Monday night's games, 647 points had been scored, an average of 46.2 a game.

The New York Times - Sports

The only other goal Argentina had scored had been scored for them by Bosnia's Sead Kolasinac.

The Guardian - Sport

One shortlisted entry, Eastside Young Leaders, had been scored very highly by all the judges.

The Guardian

Entering the Week 11 games, 678 touchdowns had been scored this season.

The New York Times

The goal had been scored with the team's first attempt on target.

The Guardian - Sport

When Hughes's name was read out, it was as though a goal had been scored.

The Guardian - Sport

Fifteen minutes into the game, a total of 23 points had been scored.

The New York Times - Sports

Wendell (4-4) had been scored on only once in his previous seven appearances.

The New York Times - Sports

There's great rejoicing by the mob, as if a goal had been scored in a soccer match.

The New Yorker

The second-half over/under total was 75.5, and Joseph's shot meant that 76 points had been scored after halftime.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been scored" to clearly indicate that a scoring action was completed before another point in the past. This helps establish a clear sequence of events for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had been scored" when the simple past tense ("was scored") is sufficient. "Had been scored" is appropriate when you need to emphasize that the scoring happened before another event in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been scored" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. It indicates that a score or points were achieved before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

37%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been scored" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English to denote that a scoring action was completed before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is typically used in news, science, and even general contexts. To ensure clarity in your writing, use it to establish a clear sequence of events, and avoid using it when the simple past tense is more appropriate. By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively use "had been scored" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been achieved

Focuses on the accomplishment rather than the specific scoring aspect.

had been attained

Similar to 'achieved', but emphasizes the effort required to reach the score.

had been registered

Emphasizes the formal recording of the score.

had been marked

Focuses on the act of assigning a score or grade.

had been totaled

Implies summing up individual scores to reach a final result.

had been tallied

Similar to 'totaled', but suggests a more careful and detailed counting process.

had been earned

Highlights that the score was deserved through effort or skill.

had been awarded

Suggests that the score was given as a recognition or prize.

had been computed

Focuses on the mathematical calculation of the score.

had been assessed

Highlights the evaluation process that led to the score.

FAQs

How is "had been scored" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been scored" indicates that a score or points were achieved before a specific time in the past. For example, "By halftime, three goals "had been scored"" shows the scoring was complete before halftime.

What are alternatives to "had been scored"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been achieved", "had been attained", or "had been registered".

When should I use "had been scored" instead of "was scored"?

"Had been scored" is used to show an action completed before another action or time in the past. "Was scored" is used for actions in the simple past without reference to another past event. For example, "The goal "was scored" in the first minute" versus "By the time the rain started, the goal "had been scored"".

Is "had been scored on" grammatically correct?

Yes, "had been scored on" is grammatically correct. It indicates that someone or something was the recipient of points or a score being achieved against them. For example, "The team "had been scored on" only once in the entire season".