had been separated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been separated" is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a past event; for example, "The couple had been separated for more than a year before they decided to get back together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many had been separated from relatives.

The New Yorker

The couple had been separated for holidays before.

The New York Times

He and his wife had been separated since 1983.

The New York Times

Many had been separated for years and were desperate to be reunited.

The Washington Post

He said the couple had been separated for about three weeks.

The New York Times

She said many parents had been separated from their children and had still not found them.

The Guardian

Some had been separated from their parents; some had crossed the border on their own.

The Washington Post

The two had been separated ever since his deportation until finally meeting in Dubai last year.

The Guardian

He had been separated from his unit and, he said, was left fearing for his life.

The Guardian

Reports emerged that he had been separated from his mother, who was badly injured.

The Guardian

They had been separated and saw each other only once during their imprisonment, Mr. Farran said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been separated", ensure the context clearly indicates the entities that were separated and the duration or reason for the separation.

Common error

Avoid using "had been separated" when the simple past tense ("were separated") or the present perfect tense ("have been separated") is more appropriate, depending on the timeline and relevance to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been separated" functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that a separation occurred before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. This construction is used to establish a clear sequence of events in narrative or expository writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been separated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive construction. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it's used to describe a prior state of division or disconnection before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it appears across diverse sources, it is particularly common in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the separated entities and the context of their separation are well-defined. By avoiding common tense errors and carefully considering the timeline, you can effectively use "had been separated" to convey precise meaning in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been divided

Focuses on the act of dividing something into parts, rather than the state of being apart.

had been disconnected

Suggests a severed link or relationship.

had been detached

Implies a physical or emotional disconnection.

had been distanced

Emphasizes the act of creating space or distance between entities.

had been isolated

Highlights the state of being alone or apart from others, often due to external factors.

had parted ways

Specifically refers to people ending a relationship or journey together.

had become estranged

Suggests a loss of affection or connection over time.

had dissolved their union

Formal way to express separation, often used in the context of marriage or partnerships.

had been segregated

Implies a forced separation based on certain characteristics.

had ceased contact

Focuses on the termination of communication or interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "had been separated" in a sentence?

Use "had been separated" to describe a state of being apart that occurred before a specific point in the past. For example, "They "had been separated" for five years before reuniting".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "had been separated"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been divided", "had been detached", or "had been isolated" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

What is the difference between "had been separated" and "were separated"?

"Had been separated" indicates a separation completed before a past point, whereas "were separated" simply describes a state of separation in the past. Use "had been separated" when you need to emphasize the sequence of events.

Is it correct to say "have been separated" instead of "had been separated"?

"Have been separated" indicates a separation that started in the past and continues to the present, while "had been separated" refers to a separation that ended in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeline.