had been subpoenaed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been subpoenaed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has been formally ordered to appear in court or produce evidence. Example: "The witness had been subpoenaed to testify in the high-profile case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yesterday, Mr. Bentivegna would say only that he had been subpoenaed, and Mr. Morgenthau discourages subpoenaed witnesses from publicly discussing details of their testimony.

The New York Times

In fact, he knew that she had been subpoenaed.

The New York Times

Several years of medical records had been subpoenaed.

The New York Times

Worse, Andersen employees destroyed evidence related to the audit even after the firm had been subpoenaed.

The Economist

C3 said it had been subpoenaed by the attorney general and was cooperating with its investigation.

The New York Times - Arts

The Daily News first reported that LeMond had been subpoenaed, on its Web site Friday night.

The New York Times - Sports

Belichick also declined to say whether he had retained legal counsel or had been subpoenaed.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Simon had been subpoenaed to appear yesterday before a grand jury.

The New York Times

Several other cartage com panies in the city had been subpoenaed.

The New York Times

Both had been subpoenaed to appear before the Federal grand jury.

The New York Times

Ms. Lewinsky had been subpoenaed for gifts, as the President knew.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In journalistic writing, follow up with details such as the date of the subpoena, the issuing authority, and the subject matter of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "had been subpoenaed" interchangeably with similar legal terms like "arrested" or "indicted". A subpoena compels testimony or document production, while the others imply accusation or custody.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been subpoenaed" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject received a legal order to appear in court or produce documents. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe someone's involvement in legal proceedings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been subpoenaed" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that someone has received a legal order to appear in court or provide documents. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers diverse examples, primarily from News & Media sources, underscoring its commonality in reporting legal matters. When using this phrase, clarity about the issuing authority and purpose is essential. Alternative phrases, such as "was summoned to court" or "received a subpoena", may suit different contexts. While common, it's crucial to avoid confusion with other legal terms like "arrested" or "indicted". The phrase exhibits a neutral register, fitting for journalistic and legal contexts alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was summoned to court

Emphasizes the act of being officially called to appear in court.

received a subpoena

Focuses on the reception of the legal document.

was ordered to appear

Highlights the compulsory nature of the directive.

was legally compelled to testify

Underscores the legal obligation to provide testimony.

faced a legal summons

Indicates encountering a formal legal demand.

was required to give evidence

Stresses the duty to provide evidence.

was called to account

Suggests a formal request to explain actions.

was directed to attend

Highlights the instruction to be present.

was under legal obligation to appear

Emphasizes the binding legal duty to attend a proceeding.

was officially requested to testify

Highlights the formal nature of the request for testimony.

FAQs

How is "had been subpoenaed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had been subpoenaed" indicates that someone received a legal order to appear in court or provide documents. For instance, "The witness "had been subpoenaed" to testify before the grand jury".

What's the difference between "had been subpoenaed" and "was asked to testify"?

"Had been subpoenaed" implies a legal compulsion to appear or provide evidence, while "was asked to testify" suggests a voluntary request. If someone "had been subpoenaed", refusing to comply can result in legal consequences.

What are some alternatives to "had been subpoenaed"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "was summoned to court", "received a subpoena", or "was ordered to appear".

Is it correct to say "had been subpoenaed for questioning"?

Yes, "had been subpoenaed for questioning" is grammatically correct. It specifies the purpose of the subpoena is to obtain information through questioning.