had been shattered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been shattered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was broken or destroyed in the past, often conveying a sense of loss or damage. Example: "After the accident, her dreams had been shattered, leaving her feeling lost and uncertain about the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His ankle and hip had been shattered.

The New York Times

But the information loop had been shattered.

The New Yorker

Her self-confidence had been shattered.

The Guardian

My early blithe confidence had been shattered.

The Guardian

By war's end that society had been shattered.

The New York Times - Arts

Stanley's childhood had been shattered when his mother killed herself.

The New York Times - Books

Infrastructure like roads and bridges had been shattered.

The Guardian

But he soon realized that his back window had been shattered, Inspector Royster said.

The New York Times

When she returned minutes later, the front window on the passenger side had been shattered.

The New York Times

They had been shattered by beatings and grown back in a misshapen form.

Independent

The Archbishop of Canterbury said many of the bishops had been "shattered" by the findings.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been shattered" to depict a state of irreversible damage or destruction, both physically and metaphorically. It effectively conveys a sense of finality.

Common error

Avoid using "had been shattered" when describing minor inconveniences or easily fixable problems. Opt for milder alternatives like "damaged" or "affected" to maintain appropriate tone and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been shattered" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. It describes a state resulting from a prior action where something (concrete or abstract) was broken or destroyed. Ludwig shows its prevalent use across diverse sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been shattered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English, indicating a completed action of breaking or destroying something, either literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in encyclopedias and scientific publications. When you want to portray something as irreversibly broken or damaged, "had been shattered" is a strong choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was completely destroyed

Focuses on the complete destruction of something, removing any ambiguity about the extent of the damage.

was irrevocably damaged

Emphasizes that the damage is permanent and cannot be repaired or reversed.

had been ruined

Indicates that something has been damaged or spoiled to the point of being unusable or undesirable.

had been obliterated

Indicates complete removal or erasure, suggesting that something has been wiped out entirely.

had been devastated

Emphasizes the emotional impact of the destruction or damage, suggesting a severe and overwhelming effect.

was utterly wrecked

Highlights the complete and thorough nature of the destruction, implying a state of total disrepair.

was torn apart

Highlights the violent and forceful nature of the destruction, implying a separation or disintegration.

had collapsed

Focuses on the structural failure or breakdown of something, often implying a sudden and dramatic fall.

had crumbled

Suggests a gradual and internal collapse, implying a weakening over time before the final breakdown.

had ceased to exist

Emphasizes the termination of something's existence, suggesting a complete disappearance or end.

FAQs

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

Use "had been shattered" to describe something that has been broken or destroyed, either literally or figuratively. For example, "After the scandal, his reputation "had been shattered"." or "The vase "had been shattered" into a million pieces".

What are some alternatives to "had been shattered"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been destroyed", "was ruined", or "had collapsed" to convey similar meanings.

Is "had been shattered" formal or informal?

"Had been shattered" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but its strong imagery often makes it more suitable for situations where you want to emphasize the severity of the damage or destruction. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and overall tone.

Which is more appropriate: "was shattered" or "had been shattered"?

"Was shattered" indicates a simple past action, while "had been shattered" indicates a past perfect action, meaning it happened before another point in the past. Choose "had been shattered" when you need to emphasize that the shattering occurred before a subsequent event or time.