had been shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that occurred in the past and has relevance to a later point in time, often in narratives or reports about events. Example: "The detective arrived at the scene to find that the victim had been shot in the alley."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had been shot.

The New Yorker

Another Marine had been shot.

The New York Times

Her husband had been shot.

The New Yorker

My friend had been shot.

The New Yorker

She had been shot in the neck.

The New Yorker

He had been shot through the cheek.

The New Yorker

He had been shot nine times.

The Guardian - Music

He had been shot in his cell.

The New Yorker

It looked like he had been shot.

The New York Times

Some had been shot and others beheaded.

Independent

Both had been shot in the head.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about incidents involving firearms, use "had been shot" to clearly indicate a past action that has relevance to the current situation or narrative. This tense is effective in establishing a sequence of events.

Common error

While "had been shot" is grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can make your writing seem indirect. If possible, rephrase to use active voice, such as "Someone shot him" to create a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been shot" functions as a passive past perfect construction, describing an action completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct. This is useful for establishing timelines, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been shot" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past action completed before another point in time, primarily in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms this usage. When writing, ensure that you are using it to establish a sequence of events or to provide context for a later occurrence. While grammatically sound, avoid overusing the passive voice for more impactful writing. Consider alternatives like "was wounded by gunfire" or "sustained a gunshot wound" to vary your phrasing. This phrase is essential for reporting on incidents objectively and clearly indicating the timeline of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was shot and injured

Simplifies the phrase by directly stating the action and result.

was wounded by gunfire

Emphasizes the method of injury using 'gunfire'.

was injured in a shooting

Describes the event leading to the injury.

had been hit by gunfire

Similar to 'was wounded by gunfire' but with a slightly different emphasis.

sustained a gunshot wound

More formal and medical, highlighting the type of wound.

suffered a gunshot injury

Another formal way to describe the injury.

became a shooting victim

Focuses on the person's status as a victim.

was a casualty of shooting

Focuses on the consequence of a shooting incident.

was struck by a bullet

Highlights the impact of the bullet.

had taken a bullet

Informal and direct, implying the person received a gunshot.

FAQs

How is "had been shot" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been shot" indicates a past action completed before another point in time. For example, "The suspect fled the scene after he "had been shot" by the officer."

What are some alternatives to saying "had been shot"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was wounded by gunfire", "sustained a gunshot wound", or "was injured in a shooting".

Is it better to say "was shot" or "had been shot"?

Use "was shot" for simple past tense. Use "had been shot" to indicate an action completed before another past action. Example: "He "was shot" yesterday. Before that, he "had been shot" in 2010."

What's the difference between "shot" and "had been shot"?

"Shot" typically refers to the act of firing a weapon, while "had been shot" describes the state of someone who received a gunshot wound prior to a certain point in time. It emphasizes the completion of the action in the past. For example, "He "had been shot" before the police arrived" indicates a sequence of events.