had been training

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been training" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past before another action occurred. Example: "She had been training for months before the competition finally arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yes, he had been training.

The New York Times - Sports

There had been training.

The Guardian - Books

The Italian police in Nassiriya had been training Iraqi officers.

The Guardian

But she had been training seriously for only two months.

The New York Times - Sports

Since then, he had been training sensationally at Pimlico.

The New York Times - Sports

The boy had been training for two years.

The New York Times - Sports

For months they had been training to do just that.

The Guardian

"They had been training for it and training for it.

The New York Times

Funny, sly and fluent in Italian, he had been training recently to become a schoolteacher.

The New York Times - Travel

Lugers had been training since Sunday for World Cup races at the Olympic site.

The New York Times - Sports

In the third, there had been training for staff only in the mother and baby unit.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been training" to indicate a continuous action in the past that occurred before another event or time. For example, "She had been training for months before the competition finally arrived."

Common error

Avoid using "had been training" when a simple past tense ("trained") or past continuous tense ("was training") is more appropriate. "Had been training" emphasizes the duration and completion of the training before another event.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "had been training" is to serve as the past perfect continuous tense of the verb "train". It describes an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another action or point in the past. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been training" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that functions as the past perfect continuous tense. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe an activity that was ongoing for a period of time before another point in the past, emphasizing the duration and preparation involved. It appears most commonly in news media, academia, and wiki sources, suggesting a neutral register suitable for a range of contexts. When writing, ensure you use "had been training" to accurately convey the continuous and prior nature of the training, and consider related phrases like "had been practicing" or "had been preparing" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been practicing

Focuses more on the repetition of specific actions for skill development.

had been preparing

Implies a broader sense of getting ready, not necessarily involving physical activity.

had been rehearsing

Specifically refers to practicing for a performance or event.

had been studying

Implies mental preparation, such as learning information or skills.

had been conditioning

Focuses on physical fitness and building stamina.

had undergone training

Emphasizes the completion of a training program.

had been coaching

Implies providing instruction and guidance to someone else.

had been drilling

Suggests repetitive practice of a specific technique or skill.

had been learning

Emphasizes the acquisition of new knowledge or skills through experience.

had been working out

Specifically refers to physical exercise and fitness routines.

FAQs

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

"Had been training" indicates an action that was in progress for a period of time before another action or point in time in the past. For example, "They "had been training" for months, so they were well-prepared for the competition."

What are some alternatives to "had been training"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been practicing", "had been preparing", or "had undergone training".

Is it correct to say "had trained" instead of "had been training"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they have different meanings. "Had trained" indicates a completed action in the past, while "had been training" emphasizes the duration of the training before a specific point in the past. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "had been training" and "was training"?

"Was training" describes an ongoing action in the past, while "had been training" describes an action that was ongoing for a period of time before another event or time in the past. For example, "She "was training" when I called" versus "She "had been training" for months before the competition."