had been suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing state of distress or hardship that occurred before a certain point in time. Example: "She had been suffering from chronic pain for years before she finally sought medical help."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She had been suffering from leukaemia.

Independent

He had been suffering from prostate cancer.

The New York Times

He had been suffering from severe depression.

Independent

Rickman had been suffering from cancer.

The Guardian - Film

Her daughter, Sheridan, had been suffering.

The Guardian

(He had been suffering from depression).

The Guardian

He had been suffering from pneumonia.

The Guardian - Sport

He had been suffering from lymphoma.

The New York Times

He had been suffering from liver disease.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Boal had been suffering from leukemia.

The New York Times

He said he had been suffering from health problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been suffering", ensure the timeline is clear. Specify the duration or context of the suffering to enhance clarity for the reader. For example, "He had been suffering from headaches for several weeks before seeing a doctor."

Common error

Avoid using "had been suffering" without providing context about the cause or nature of the suffering. This can leave the reader wondering what exactly was wrong. For example, instead of saying "She had been suffering", specify "She had been suffering from anxiety" or "She had been suffering financial hardship".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been suffering" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence. It indicates a past perfect continuous tense, showing that an action or state of suffering was ongoing for a period of time before another point in the past. Ludwig confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

24%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been suffering" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe a state of ongoing distress or hardship that occurred before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically used to provide background information or context about a person's condition. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by scientific contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to provide sufficient context about the cause and duration of the suffering. Alternatives include phrases like "had been afflicted with" or "had struggled with", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been afflicted with

Emphasizes the impact of the ailment or condition, implying a more passive experience of being affected.

had struggled with

Highlights the active effort involved in coping with the difficulty.

had been dealing with

Suggests an ongoing process of managing a problem.

had battled against

Implies a more intense and combative struggle against the problem.

had endured

Focuses on the act of bearing a hardship, often suggesting a stoic acceptance.

had been living with

Indicates a long-term and often chronic condition.

had faced

Suggests confronting a difficulty, often with courage or determination.

had experienced

A more neutral term indicating the occurrence of something, without necessarily implying suffering.

had undergone

Focuses on the process or treatment experienced, often implying medical intervention.

had known

Emphasizes the subject's awareness and familiarity with the condition or suffering.

FAQs

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

Use "had been suffering" to describe a period of distress or difficulty that occurred before a specific point in time. For example, "He "had been suffering from depression" before seeking help."

What are some alternatives to "had been suffering"?

You can use alternatives like "had been afflicted with", "had struggled with", or "had endured", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been suffering" instead of "had been suffering"?

While "has been suffering" describes ongoing suffering that started in the past and continues to the present, "had been suffering" describes suffering that occurred in the past, prior to another point in the past. The correct choice depends on the timeline you're describing.

What's the difference between "suffered" and "had been suffering"?

"Suffered" indicates a completed action of experiencing something negative, whereas "had been suffering" describes a continuous state of hardship up to a certain point in the past. For instance, "He suffered a loss" versus "He "had been suffering from chronic pain" for years."