had been traced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been traced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was located or followed back to its origin in the past, often in a narrative or report context. Example: "The origins of the ancient artifact had been traced back to a small village in Italy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The barrister said that 201 witnesses had been traced.

Independent

He was kept off the air, and later found out that his call had been traced.

The New York Times

Some 60 contacts had been traced, including 44 health workers and 15 airport officials.

The Guardian

They have helped a woman who had been traced at three previous refuges.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Almost all their relatives had been traced and informed about where they were.

The Guardian

The suspected "mastermind" of the Paris shootings, Abdel-Hamid Abu Oud, had been traced.

The Guardian

It added that the contamination had been traced to a dirty pipe in one of its New Zealand processing facilities.

The New York Times

A Nagano Olympic official, Ko Yamaguchi, said the broken piece of glass had been traced to the sixth-floor walkway.

The New York Times - Sports

Some days I feel like a grave-rubbing — as if the terrain had been traced onto me.

The New York Times

The trial judges scoffed at that claim, noting that the gun used in the killings had been traced to them.

The New York Times

Fonterra said that the contamination had been traced to a pipe that had not been cleaned properly in one of its New Zealand processing plants.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been traced", ensure the context clearly indicates what was traced and the method or information used to trace it. For example, "The phone call had been traced to a specific location using GPS data."

Common error

Avoid using "had been traced" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For instance, instead of "The suspect had been traced by the police", consider "The police traced the suspect."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been traced" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. It indicates that an action of tracing was completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in news reports, scientific articles, and general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been traced" is a grammatically correct and common verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in diverse contexts, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedia articles. It indicates that something was located or followed back to its origin before a specific point in the past. When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what was traced and the method used. Alternatives such as "had been located" or "had been identified" can be used depending on the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been found

A simpler and more general way of saying something was located.

had been located

Focuses on finding the physical location of something.

had been identified

Emphasizes recognizing or confirming the identity of something.

had been tracked down

Suggests a more active and persistent search to find something.

had been discovered

Highlights the finding of something previously unknown.

had been followed

Highlights the act of monitoring or tracking something's path.

had been detected

Implies the use of technology or specific methods to find something.

had been linked

Emphasizes establishing a connection or relationship between things.

had been attributed

Focuses on identifying the cause or origin of something.

had been ascertained

Stresses the act of finding something out for certain after investigation.

FAQs

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

You can use "had been traced" to indicate that something was located or followed back to its origin. For example: "The source of the leak "had been traced" to a faulty valve."

What are some alternatives to "had been traced"?

Alternatives include "had been located", "had been identified", or "had been tracked down", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was traced" instead of "had been traced"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "had been traced" indicates an action completed in the past before another point in the past, while "was traced" simply indicates an action completed in the past. The choice depends on the context and the timeline you want to establish.

What's the difference between "had been traced" and "could be traced"?

"Had been traced" indicates a completed action, while "could be traced" indicates a possibility or potential action. For example, "The signal "had been traced" to its source" means the tracing was successful. "The signal "could be traced" to its source" means it was possible to trace, but not necessarily done.