had been struck

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been struck" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was hit or affected in the past, often in a passive construction. Example: "The town had been struck by a severe storm, leaving many homes damaged."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But a nerve had been struck.

The New York Times

I had been struck by his remarks.

The New Yorker

Onstage, the set had been struck.

The New Yorker

She had been struck by the hike.

The Guardian

She had been struck 18 times.

The Guardian - Books

Simpson, 28, had been struck several times.

The Guardian

"No really, it had been struck by lightning at Wisley".

Independent

Cantor had been struck by one presentation at the retreat.

The New Yorker

I had been struck by blue lightning, shattered and aglow.

The New York Times - Magazine

Thomas Sr's cousin, Pete, had been struck by lightning.

The New Yorker

Her van had been struck by 30 bullets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been struck" to emphasize a past action's effect on a subject, ensuring clarity about the timing and consequence.

Common error

Avoid using "has been struck" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. "Had been struck" correctly places the event in the past relative to another point in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been struck" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action (being struck) was completed at some point in the past, prior to another event or time also in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been struck" is a grammatically sound past perfect passive construction, widely used to indicate an action completed in the past before another past event. According to Ludwig AI, it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. Its frequency is very common, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. Remember to use it when specifying an action that occurred before another point in the past, avoiding confusion with other tenses. Common errors include misuse of tense, so ensure you are using the correct past perfect form. By understanding its purpose and context, you can effectively use "had been struck" to add depth and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been hit

Past perfect passive; similar to the original phrase.

was hit

Simple past passive; focuses on the action of hitting.

was impacted

Emphasizes the effect or consequence of the impact.

was affected

Broader term indicating influence or change as a result of something.

was subjected to

Suggests exposure to something, often negative or forceful.

came under attack

More specific, implying a deliberate hostile action.

sustained damage

Focuses on the damage received rather than the act of striking.

was bombarded

Suggests a heavy and continuous impact, either literal or figurative.

was exposed to

Highlights the exposure to something, implying a potential effect.

encountered

Neutral term indicating an event or experience, less forceful than "struck".

FAQs

How to use "had been struck" in a sentence?

Use "had been struck" to describe an event that happened in the past before another event also in the past. For instance, "The building "had been struck" by lightning before the fire started".

What can I say instead of "had been struck"?

You can use alternatives like "was hit", "was impacted", or "was affected", depending on the specific context.

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

"Had been struck" indicates a past perfect passive construction, used when describing an action completed before another point in the past. "Was struck" is simple past passive.

What's the difference between "had been struck" and "has been struck"?

"Had been struck" refers to an action completed in the past before another past action. "Has been struck" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.