had been shredded by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been shredded by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been torn or cut into pieces by a specific agent or force, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The documents had been shredded by the time the investigators arrived at the scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Gina's forehead had been shredded by glass.

The New York Times

Ed Miliband's hopes of becoming prime minister had been shredded by that approach.

The Guardian

The padding protecting Warner's shoulders and ribs had been shredded by a Strahan hit.

The New York Times - Sports

Its leadership had been shredded by systematic assassination, and it was reduced to murderous but desperate "asymmetric" tactics.

The Economist

He was ­completely unmarked on the right-hand side of the box after Bayern's defence had been shredded by some sublime Barcelona passing.

The Guardian - Sport

When asked about the intensity of the enemy fire along the escape route, they pointed to a rear wheel of their armoured fighting vehicle, which had been shredded by a mortar round, they said.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Mr Aso's reputation has been shredded by a series of gaffes and policy flip-flops.

The Economist

Defensively, Philadelphia has been shredded by swing passes, draws and the cutback running of Tiki Barber.

The New York Times - Sports

Internationally, his standing has been shredded by a recent Council of Europe report making all sorts of lurid allegations against him.

The Economist

But to some critics, one of the most innovative novels of the past decade has been shredded by the Hollywood machine.

The Guardian - Books

Mine were in tatters long before he came flouncing onstage for the last time, having been shredded by the comic banality of most of the material.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been shredded by", ensure the agent or cause of the shredding is clearly identified to maintain clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what caused the shredding. Omitting this information can leave the sentence incomplete or confusing for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been shredded by" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating a completed action in the past where something was destroyed or invalidated by an agent. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Huffington Post

8%

The New York Times

17%

Less common in

Forbes

2%

Wikipedia

4%

Vice

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been shredded by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that signifies a completed action in the past where something was severely damaged or invalidated by a specific agent. Ludwig's analysis highlights its frequent use in news and media, with a neutral register. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; always ensure that the agent responsible for the "shredding" is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was torn apart by" or "was decimated by" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, as Ludwig AI confirms, "had been shredded by" is a valuable and versatile phrase in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was torn apart by

Focuses on the act of tearing something into pieces, emphasizing a more violent form of destruction.

was decimated by

Highlights severe reduction or destruction, particularly in terms of numbers or quantity.

was ruined by

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

was destroyed by

Implies complete annihilation or irreversible damage.

was shattered by

Suggests something has been broken into many pieces, either literally or figuratively.

was undermined by

Suggests a gradual weakening or erosion of something's foundation or effectiveness.

was ravaged by

Highlights severe damage or destruction caused by a destructive force, such as a natural disaster or conflict.

was invalidated by

Focuses on something being proven false or without merit, often in an argumentative or logical context.

was dismantled by

Emphasizes the act of taking something apart piece by piece, often in a methodical way.

was eviscerated by

Implies that something was deprived of its most essential qualities or content.

FAQs

How can I use "had been shredded by" in a sentence?

This phrase indicates that something was torn or damaged extensively by a particular force or entity. For instance, "The contract had been shredded by the opposing lawyers' arguments".

What can I say instead of "had been shredded by"?

You can use alternatives like "was torn apart by", "was decimated by", or "was ruined by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been shredded by" or "was shredded by"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "had been shredded by" implies that the action occurred and was completed at some point in the past before another past action or time. "Was shredded by" indicates a simple past passive action.

What's the difference between "had been shredded by" and "had been damaged by"?

"Had been shredded by" suggests a more violent and destructive action, implying something was torn into many pieces. "Had been damaged by" is a broader term indicating harm or impairment, which may not involve tearing.