had been tested

USAGE SUMMARY

"had been tested" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a past event that took place some time ago. Example: The safety features of the new car had been tested rigorously by engineers before it went into production.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of the 222 rapid-tested participants, 66.2% had been tested at the CDC, 46.8% had been tested in gay venues, 18.5% had been tested at community health service centres and 11.3% had been tested at hospitals.

BMJ Open

I had been tested at school.

The New Yorker

What precisely had been tested?

The Guardian

She had been tested and found wanting.

The New Yorker

Furthermore, toxicity to vessel and vascular cells had been tested.

Nature

She said she had been tested eight times this year.

The New York Times - Sports

He did say the AirTrain had been tested many times.

The New York Times

Everything he planned had been tested somewhere else.

The Guardian - Film

Almost none of them had been tested in humans.

The New Yorker

Ms. Rios could not say how many had been tested.

The New York Times

This combination had been tested in earlier trials, all of which showed a benefit.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been tested" to emphasize the completed nature of the testing process before another event took place. This showcases that it's already done.

Common error

Avoid shifting to present tense after using "had been tested" without a clear reason. Maintain consistency to prevent confusing the reader about the sequence of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been tested" functions as the past perfect passive form of the verb "test". It indicates that an action of testing was completed before a specific point in the past. According to Ludwig, the structure is considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been tested" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect passive construction. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to indicate that something was subjected to testing before a specific point in the past. Its usage spans across various contexts, from scientific research to news reporting, indicating its versatility. When employing this phrase, remember to maintain tense consistency and clearly define the timeline of events for clarity. Be also mindful of its specific meaning, and do not substitute it with similar-sounding phrases without considering their difference in the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

underwent testing

Changes the sentence structure while maintaining the focus on the action of testing.

was verified

Highlights the confirmation of truth or accuracy, distinct from testing for functionality or performance.

was validated

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or reliability of something through testing or other means.

was put to the test

Emphasizes the challenge or difficulty of the testing process.

was evaluated

Focuses on the process of assessing the value or quality of something, differing from the general act of testing.

was assessed

Suggests a judgment or appraisal of something's value or characteristics, rather than simply testing its function.

was proven

Indicates that something has been successfully demonstrated or verified through testing or evidence.

was examined

Implies a more detailed inspection or investigation than a general test.

was checked

Emphasizes a simpler, often more basic form of verification, unlike the potentially rigorous nature of testing.

was subjected to scrutiny

Highlights a rigorous and critical examination, often implying potential flaws or weaknesses.

FAQs

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

"Had been tested" indicates that something was tested at some point in the past before something else happened. For example, "The software "had been tested" extensively before its release."

What are some alternatives to "had been tested"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was evaluated", "was verified", or "underwent testing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "had been tested" and "was tested"?

"Had been tested" implies the testing occurred and concluded before another event in the past. "Was tested" simply indicates the testing occurred at some point in the past, without specifying its relation to another event.

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

Using "has been tested" shifts the focus to the present perfect tense, indicating testing completed recently and is relevant to the present. "Had been tested" is used for past perfect, indicating completion before another past action.