had been set

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been set" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that was established, decided, or arranged in the past and is no longer the case. For example: "The rules of the game had been set before the players arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Traps had been set in intradomiciliary, peridomiciliary, and extradomiciliary settings.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

It had been set at 4.3.

The New York Times

for children had been set up.

The New Yorker

"He said they had been set up.

The New York Times

The plan had been set into motion.

The New York Times

A breakneck pace had been set.

The New York Times - Sports

But the standard had been set.

The New York Times - Books

Krzyzewski said no plans had been set.

The New York Times - Sports

A sound system had been set up.

The New Yorker

Both times, he had been set free.

The New York Times

Something, it seemed, had been set right.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been set", ensure the context clearly indicates what was established or arranged and its relevance to the current situation. For instance, "The agenda had been set before the meeting, ensuring a structured discussion."

Common error

Avoid using "had been set" when the simple past tense is sufficient. For example, instead of saying "The table had been set when I arrived", consider "The table was set when I arrived" if the setting of the table and your arrival are closely linked in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been set" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that a particular action (setting) was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been set" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, as validated by Ludwig. It functions as a past perfect passive construction, indicating that something was established or arranged before another point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. While widely accepted, it's crucial to ensure correct tense sequencing to avoid miscommunication. Alternatives like "had been arranged" or "had been established" can provide nuanced expressions depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been arranged

Emphasizes the act of making arrangements or preparations beforehand.

had been established

Focuses on the founding or creation of something that existed at a prior time.

had been prepared

Highlights the preparatory actions taken in advance.

had been determined

Indicates a decision or conclusion that was reached earlier.

had been scheduled

Specifies that something was planned or timed for a particular point in the past.

had been designated

Implies a specific assignment or naming that occurred previously.

had been installed

Focuses on the physical placement or setup of something prior to a reference point.

had been implemented

Highlights the execution or carrying out of a plan or system.

had been initiated

Emphasizes the commencement or starting of something.

had been appointed

Focuses on the act of assigning a role or position to someone.

FAQs

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

"Had been set" indicates that something was established or arranged before a specific time in the past. For example, "The trap "had been set" to catch mice before the night fell".

What are some alternatives to "had been set"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "had been arranged", "had been established", or "had been prepared" as alternatives to "had been set".

Is it correct to say "was set" instead of "had been set"?

While "was set" is grammatically correct, "had been set" emphasizes that the action of setting occurred before another event in the past. Using "was set" might imply the setting and the subsequent event happened closer in time or simultaneously.

What's the difference between "had been set" and "has been set"?

"Had been set" refers to something that was set in the past relative to another past event, while "has been set" refers to something that was set in the past and is still relevant to the present. For example, "The date "has been set" for the meeting" indicates the date is set now, whereas "The date "had been set" weeks before the meeting" emphasizes that it was arranged well in advance.