had been seconded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been seconded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as in meetings or discussions, to indicate that a proposal or motion has received support from another person. Example: "The motion to increase the budget had been seconded by several committee members, indicating strong support for the proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Was it not the case that 38 Home Office staff had been seconded to the inquiry?

The Guardian

He had been seconded to work part-time at the academy last year as Schofield's deputy.

The Guardian

Noel had been seconded to the Western European Union - a precursor of the European Community.

The Guardian

They admitted that staff from Conservative Campaign Headquarters had been seconded to the No camp, which said all its backers would be named shortly.

Independent

When the Japanese invaded in 1942, Molly fled to India on foot, leaving her husband, who had been seconded into the army, behind.

The Economist

There, later, she met Alastair Dunnett, who had been seconded from the Daily Record to be chief press officer to the secretary of state.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

They have been seconded by a chorus of outsiders.

Forbes

Invariably their experience had been first class.

Independent

They had been fourth the previous four years.

The New York Times - Sports

The writer's father had been first to notice it.

The New Yorker

Previously, the basin had been second choice for mining companies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been seconded" to clearly indicate a temporary transfer of duties or assignment of personnel from one department or organization to another. This is especially useful in formal reports or official communications.

Common error

Avoid using "was seconded" when the action happened in the past and its relevance continues to the present. Use "had been seconded" to emphasize that the secondment was completed before another point in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been seconded" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone was temporarily assigned to a different role or department. This construction emphasizes the action (being seconded) rather than the actor. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been seconded" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to describe a temporary assignment or transfer. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid for use in written English. Its register leans towards professional and formal, frequently appearing in news articles, scientific publications, and business communications. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a completed action in the past. For alternative expressions, consider ""was temporarily assigned"" or "was detailed to" to achieve a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was temporarily assigned

Focuses on the temporary nature of the assignment.

was temporarily transferred

Highlights the transfer aspect of the assignment.

was detailed to

Emphasizes the specific task or duty assigned.

was on assignment to

Indicates an active state of being assigned.

was temporarily loaned

Suggests a lending of personnel from one entity to another.

was temporarily placed

Focuses on the placement of an individual in a role.

was temporarily deployed

Implies a strategic or tactical assignment.

was drafted to

Indicates a more formal or mandatory assignment.

was dispatched to

Implies a sending of personnel to a specific location or task.

was designated to

Focuses on the act of being chosen for a particular role.

FAQs

What does "had been seconded" mean?

The phrase "had been seconded" indicates that someone was temporarily assigned or transferred from their regular job or department to another one. It is often used to describe a past event that has implications for the present or future.

How to use "had been seconded" in a sentence?

You can use "had been seconded" in sentences like: "The officer "was temporarily assigned" to the investigation team after the initial lead investigator had to step down" or "She "was temporarily transferred" to the marketing department to assist with the new campaign".

What are some alternatives to "had been seconded"?

Alternatives include ""was temporarily assigned"", "was detailed to", or "was on assignment to", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "had been seconded" formal or informal?

The phrase "had been seconded" is generally considered formal and professional. It is commonly used in official reports, business communications, and news articles. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "was loaned" or "was assigned" might be more appropriate.