had been started

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been started" is a correct and usable verb phrase in written English.
You can use it to talk about an action that had already started in the past, and was still going on or had just finished before another action took place. For example: "The fire had been started before the firefighters arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most had been started in the last 24 months.

The New York Times

It had been started in 1977 by Sandusky.

The New York Times - Sports

The median age at which previous orthodontic treatment had been started was 13.5 (range 11 26).

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

It had been started by the band themselves.

The Guardian

Walter Braun, said an internal affairs investigation had been started.

The New York Times

The work had been started in the lab by D'Souza's former student Sarah Miller.

Harvard University

The school had been started in 1900 and relied on contributions for support.

The New Yorker

An IV had been started, and the blood pressure and heart monitors hooked up.

The New York Times

A few yards further on, a fire had been started in a ticket office.

The Guardian

He pointed out that his firm had been started in 1887 by Torakusu Yamaha.

The Economist

Some patients had been started on drugs without even receiving a firm diagnosis.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been started" to emphasize the duration or process leading up to a particular point in the past. For example, "The investigation had been started weeks before the arrest was made."

Common error

Avoid using "had been started" when the simple past tense ("was started") is sufficient. Use "had been started" specifically to indicate an action completed before another point in the past. For example, it's better to say "The meeting was started on time" instead of "The meeting had been started on time" unless you're contrasting it with another past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been started" functions as the past perfect passive form of the verb start. It indicates that an action of beginning something was completed before another point in time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correctly and usable verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been started" is a versatile verb phrase used to denote that something was initiated before another action in the past. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure that you are not misusing the tense (using "was started" is enough) and also make sure that you are clearly defining what caused the start of something. Remember, if you are looking for alternatives to "had been started", you can consider phrases like "was initiated" or "was launched" depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was initiated

Focuses on the formal beginning or launch of something, implying a deliberate act of commencement.

was launched

Emphasizes the beginning of something significant, like a project or campaign, often with a sense of excitement or importance.

was commenced

Highlights the formal commencement of an action or event, often used in official or legal contexts.

was begun

A more concise and direct alternative, simply stating that something started in the past.

had its genesis

Draws attention to the origin or initial development of something, often implying a gradual or organic beginning.

came into being

Emphasizes the creation or emergence of something, highlighting its transition from non-existence to existence.

was set in motion

Suggests that something was initiated with a specific purpose or direction, often implying a series of subsequent events.

was triggered

Highlights the event or action that initiated something else, often implying a causal relationship.

was activated

Focuses on the initiation of a process or system that was previously inactive or dormant.

saw its inception

Emphasizes the formal beginning of an organization, project, or institution.

FAQs

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

Use "had been started" to describe an action that began in the past and was completed or in progress before another event in the past. For example, "The project "had been started" before the new manager arrived."

What's a simple alternative to "had been started"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was initiated", "was launched", or "was begun" for a more concise expression.

Which is correct, "had been started" or "was started"?

Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. "Was started" indicates a simple past action, while "had been started" indicates an action completed before another point in the past. Use "had been started" when you need to emphasize the sequence of past events.

Is "having been started" a correct alternative to "had been started"?

"Having been started" is used in participial phrases, often to provide additional information about a noun. For example, "Having been started in 1990, the company grew rapidly." While grammatically correct, it serves a different function than ""had been started"", which is a verb phrase used to indicate past perfect passive tense.