had been secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of security that existed in the past before a certain point in time. Example: "Before the recent events, the network had been secure for several years without any breaches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The continuity of our world had been secure.

The New York Times - Magazine

The tourists had scrummaged well and had been secure if not adventurous at the lineout.

The Guardian - Sport

The failure to tie Gizab more firmly to the provincial or national governments has allowed the Taliban to retake areas that had been secure, which seems to be the insurgents' goal.

The Guardian

Asked on Tuesday whether the agencies had confidence that the election itself had been secure, a spokesman for the office of the director of national intelligence said: "Our colleagues at the department for homeland security are best positioned to address this".

The Guardian

According to the Church's Freedom Magazine Churchh officials have stated their belief that the American Psychiatric Association intensified its "interest in destroying Dianetics and Scientology organizations... when the Church of Scientology actively opposed a bill whose introduction in Congress had been secure by the APA..

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A commander announced it had been "secured".

The Guardian

Kurdish troops had been securing the area.

The Washington Post

"The scene had been secured," Mr. Weis said.

The New York Times

Within minutes of the marines' arrival, Firdos had been secured.

The New Yorker

The military said the scene had been secured.

The Washington Post

Fifteen acres had been secured near the Reflecting Pool.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been secure", ensure the context clearly indicates a change or event that disrupted the previous state of security. This helps to highlight the contrast and importance of the shift.

Common error

Avoid using "had been secure" when simply describing a current state of security. "Is secure" or "has been secure" are more appropriate for present or recently established conditions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been secure" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating a state of security that existed before a specific point in the past. It's used to describe a condition that was true up to a certain time, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

20%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been secure" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe a past state of security that no longer exists. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase commonly appears in news and media contexts to highlight a change in circumstances. While relatively rare, its correct usage hinges on clearly indicating a transition from a state of security to one of vulnerability or uncertainty. Be mindful of tense consistency and avoid using it to describe current conditions. Alternatives like "was previously safe" or "had been protected" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was previously safe

Replaces "secure" with "safe" and uses "previously" to indicate a past state, altering the wording while maintaining similar meaning.

had been protected

Substitutes "secure" with "protected", emphasizing the action of safeguarding something in the past.

had been guaranteed

Replaces "secure" with "guaranteed", indicating a state of assuredness rather than physical security.

had been ensured

Similar to "guaranteed", this highlights that steps were taken to make something secure in the past.

was once considered safe

Adds "once considered" to highlight a past perception of safety, rather than a definite state.

was formerly invulnerable

Uses "invulnerable" to suggest a state of complete protection, differing in intensity from "secure".

had been stable

Shifts the focus to stability, implying a secure and unchanging state in the past.

had been fortified

Emphasizes the strengthening aspect of making something secure, implying physical reinforcement.

had been unassailable

Suggests an even stronger state of security, meaning impossible to attack or question.

enjoyed a period of security

This alternative focus on the security as period of time. The other sentences use the security as status.

FAQs

How does the phrase "had been secure" differ from "was secure"?

"Had been secure" implies a state of security that existed in the past and has since changed. "Was secure" simply describes a past state without necessarily implying a change.

When is it appropriate to use "had been secure" instead of "is secure"?

Use "had been secure" when discussing a past condition of security that is no longer true. Use "is secure" to describe a current state of security.

What are some alternatives to "had been secure"?

You can use alternatives like "was previously safe", "had been protected", or "was once considered safe" depending on the specific context.

Can "had been secure" be used to describe emotional states?

Yes, "had been secure" can be used metaphorically to describe past emotional states, such as "Her sense of self had been secure until the recent criticism."