had been stuck

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been stuck" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about something that had been stuck in one place for a period of time. Example: The bird had been stuck in the tree for hours before I was able to help it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had been stuck in traffic.

The Guardian - Tech

They had been stuck for 45 minutes.

The New York Times

Like me, both had been stuck with big, bloody needles.

The New York Times - Health

But it had been stuck on 14 titles since 2005.

The New York Times - Sports

Many had been stuck in Gaza since June.

The New York Times

She had been stuck in the airport for two days".

The New York Times

The passengers aboard one train had been stuck on the train since shortly before 9 a.m.

The New York Times

In the opinion polls, Ms Silva had been stuck at around 10% for months.

The Economist

"It had been stuck in a garden, covered with ivy, God knows," Picón said.

The New Yorker

The latest group, which had been stuck in Thai army camps, was less fortunate.

The Economist

Blue entrance ribbons had been stuck by their safety pins into name after name.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been stuck", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe during which the state of being stuck existed before another event occurred. For example, "They had been stuck in traffic for hours before they finally arrived home."

Common error

Avoid using "had been stuck" when a simpler past tense ("was stuck") is sufficient to convey the meaning, especially if there's no need to emphasize the duration before another event. For instance, instead of saying "He had been stuck in the elevator", it is more appropriate to say "He was stuck in the elevator" if there's no further context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been stuck" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. It indicates a state of being unable to move or progress for a duration before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI examples show its use in various contexts, highlighting its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been stuck" is a common and grammatically correct past perfect passive construction used to describe a state of being unable to move or progress for a period of time before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe during which the state of being stuck existed before another event occurred. While alternatives like "was stranded" or "was trapped" exist, "had been stuck" specifically emphasizes the duration of the immobility. Remember to avoid using it when a simpler past tense ("was stuck") is sufficient. Overall, "had been stuck" is a versatile and effective phrase when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was trapped

Highlights the physical inability to escape a location or situation.

was immobilized

Focuses on the lack of ability to move or function, whether physically or figuratively.

was bogged down

Implies being slowed or stopped by difficult conditions.

was stranded

Focuses on the state of being left without means of moving, implying isolation.

was confined

Emphasizes restriction to a specific area or situation.

was held up

Implies a delay or obstruction preventing progress.

was mired

Suggests being deeply involved in a difficult or unpleasant situation, making escape difficult.

was marooned

Emphasizes being isolated and unable to leave, often in a remote location.

was delayed

Highlights the aspect of being postponed or held back from a scheduled progress.

was detained

Suggests being kept in a place against one's will, often by authority.

FAQs

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

Use "had been stuck" to indicate that someone or something was in a fixed or difficult situation for a period of time before a specific point in the past. For example, "The car "had been stuck" in the mud until the tow truck arrived".

What's the difference between "was stuck" and "had been stuck"?

"Was stuck" describes a state of being stuck in the past. "Had been stuck" indicates being stuck for a period of time before another past action or time. For example, "He was stuck in traffic" versus "He "had been stuck" in traffic for an hour before the accident happened".

What are some alternatives to "had been stuck"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "was stranded", "was trapped", or "was delayed" to convey a similar meaning to "had been stuck".

Is "had been sticking" the same as "had been stuck"?

No, "had been sticking" implies something was adhering or protruding, while ""had been stuck"" indicates a state of being unable to move or progress. They are not interchangeable.