had been stepped up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been stepped up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action or process has been increased or intensified in the past. Example: "The security measures had been stepped up in response to the recent incidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Security patrols had been stepped up in Baghdad.

Independent

And officials said promotional efforts had been stepped up for the opening of school.

The New York Times

Security had been stepped up for the elections, the first in the region in 20 years.

The New York Times

He added that police patrols in the area had been stepped up following the incident.

The Guardian

Security patrols had been stepped up in Baghdad as attacks against civilians and security forces spiked during Ramadan.

Independent

Security around the mosque had been stepped up after a brick was thrown at it on Thursday.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

This congress had been stepping up finally for our Iraq and Afghanistan vets.

Huffington Post

Covert action has been stepped up, too.

The New York Times

Security has been stepped up in Sana'a.

The Guardian

Security is also understood to have been stepped up to intercept suspects at airports.

Independent

The killings have been stepped up in the months preceding the Nato campaign.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been stepped up" to describe a past action where measures or activities were intentionally increased to address a specific need or situation. For clarity, specify what "had been stepped up" and the reason behind it.

Common error

Avoid using "had been stepped up" without clearly indicating what was intensified. Always specify the action or process that "had been stepped up" to maintain clarity for the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been stepped up" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of increasing or intensifying something was completed before a specific point in the past. This is supported by Ludwig examples, demonstrating the phrase's role in reporting past actions taken to enhance measures or activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

4%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been stepped up" is a grammatically correct passive perfect construction primarily used in news and media contexts to describe past actions of intensification or increase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates that measures or activities were enhanced before a specific point in the past. When using this phrase, ensure you specify what was intensified to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "had been increased" or "had been enhanced" can be used to provide variety while maintaining the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been increased

Focuses on a general augmentation in quantity or intensity.

had been enhanced

Emphasizes improvement in quality or effectiveness.

had been intensified

Highlights the increase in strength or force.

had been augmented

Implies an addition that enhances or completes something.

had been escalated

Suggests a rapid increase, often in a conflict or urgent situation.

had been amplified

Indicates an increase in amplitude or effect.

had been heightened

Implies an increase in the degree or intensity of something, especially emotions or security.

had been boosted

Suggests a sudden increase or improvement.

had been reinforced

Emphasizes strengthening or supporting something to prevent failure.

had been improved

Highlights a general betterment or advancement.

FAQs

How do I use "had been stepped up" in a sentence?

Use "had been stepped up" to describe a situation where measures or activities were intentionally increased in the past. For example, "Security "has been stepped up" at the airport" or "Efforts to find a cure "are being stepped up"".

What are some alternatives to "had been stepped up"?

You can use alternatives such as "had been increased", "had been enhanced", or "had been intensified" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have been stepped up" instead of "had been stepped up"?

The choice between "have been stepped up" and "had been stepped up" depends on the time frame you're referring to. "Have been stepped up" refers to something that happened recently or is ongoing, while "had been stepped up" refers to an action completed in the past before another point in time.

What's the difference between "stepped up" and "had been stepped up"?

"Stepped up" indicates a simple past action, while "had been stepped up" indicates a past perfect action, meaning it happened before another event in the past. For example, "Security was increased after the incident. Security "had been stepped up" before the concert began".