had been touched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been touched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was affected or influenced by an event or action in the past. Example: "The painting had been touched by the artist's hand, leaving a unique imprint of his style."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Nothing had been touched.

The New Yorker

She had been touched by divinity.

The Guardian - Sport

Their father asked her if she had been touched.

The New Yorker

They had been touched and scrutinized; a conversation took place.

The New Yorker

It looked, "like, I don't know... like it had been touched.

The New York Times

His normally pale face had been touched by the sun, which turned his skin pink.

The New Yorker

Ms. Baras and Ms. Baras-Feuer said they had been touched by divorce.

The New York Times

Diesel's handler added he had been "touched be the messages of support from around the world".

Independent

She had been touched by the tribute paid to her by the board.

The New Yorker

Still, not an ounce of concrete had been touched until Monday.

The New York Times

The violence had been touched off by reports that a Christian had desecrated the Qurʾan.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional impact, consider using "had been touched by" to express feelings of sympathy, inspiration, or gratitude.

Common error

Avoid using "had been touched" when "had been affected" is more appropriate for describing broad impacts. "Touched" often carries a connotation of personal or emotional influence, while "affected" can apply to more general circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been touched" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It indicates that something experienced an action in the past before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use across examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been touched" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction, commonly used to express that something experienced an action in the past, leaving a lasting impact. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for various contexts, including news, media, and general narratives. Be mindful of the nuance conveyed, particularly the potential for emotional or personal connotations when using "touched". Pay attention to when it is more appropriate to use similar phrases like "had been affected" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been affected

Replaces "touched" with a broader term indicating influence or impact.

had been influenced

Similar to "affected", but emphasizes a more persuasive or directional impact.

had experienced

Focuses on the personal experience of being affected, shifting the emphasis from the action to the recipient.

had undergone

Implies a process or change that the subject has been through.

had been reached

Indicates contact in a more general sense, not necessarily physical.

had suffered

Emphasizes a negative impact or harm experienced by the subject.

had been handled

Specifically indicates physical interaction or manipulation.

had been manipulated

Suggests a deliberate and often skillful influence or control.

had been caressed

Implies a gentle and affectionate physical touch.

had been molested

Refers to unwanted sexual touching or advances.

FAQs

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

You can use "had been touched" to describe a person or thing that has been affected by something. For example, "The community "had been touched" by the tragedy", or "The antique table "had been touched" up by a professional."

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

You can use alternatives like "had been affected", "had been influenced", or "had experienced" depending on the context.

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

"Had been touched" implies a past action with a lasting impact or relevance to the present, while "was touched" simply indicates a past action. For example, "She "had been touched" by the story and decided to help" suggests her actions are a result of that experience. "She "was touched" by the story" simply states a past emotional reaction.

What's the difference between "had been touched" and "had touched"?

"Had been touched" (passive voice) means that something or someone received the action, while "had touched" (active voice) means that something or someone performed the action. For example, "The painting "had been touched" by the artist" versus "The artist "had touched" the painting".