had been training for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been training for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone was engaged in training for a specific purpose or event over a period of time in the past. Example: "She had been training for the marathon for several months before the race was canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

The boy had been training for two years.

The New York Times - Sports

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

The New York Times

The SAS were ready; they had been training for such an operation for years.

The Guardian

Makare had been training for the Olympic volleyball team, but did not make it.

The New York Times - Sports

Scottland, who had been training for months, had not fought since last August.

The New York Times - Sports

By the time the invasion of Iraq began, they had been training for a year.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

She had been trained for an emergency.

The New York Times

Peace wasn't what we had been trained for.

The Guardian - Opinion

We had been trained for war and killing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Certificates of fitness, showing that workers had been trained for the rigs, were also missing.

The New York Times

Unlike the staff at Abu Ghraib, the brig staff had been trained for the job.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been training for" to emphasize the duration and continuity of the preparation process before a specific event or goal. For example, "She had been training for the marathon for six months."

Common error

Avoid using "had been training for" when referring to ongoing or future training. Instead, use "is training for" or "will be training for" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been training for" functions as a verb phrase indicating a prolonged period of preparation or practice leading up to a specific event or goal in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been training for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes a period of preparation leading up to a past event. Ludwig confirms its correctness and versatility, showing its use across various contexts, primarily in news and media, followed by scientific publications. The phrase effectively communicates dedication and prolonged effort invested in preparing for a specific goal or event. When writing, remember to use "had been training for" when referring to a past action with a specified duration before a determined event, ensuring the correct use of tense. Consider alternatives like "had been preparing for" to further nuance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been preparing for

Emphasizes the preparatory actions taken.

had been practicing for

Focuses on the act of rehearsing or drilling.

had been getting ready for

A more general term for preparing, suitable for informal contexts.

had been conditioning for

Highlights physical or mental preparation.

had been gearing up for

Implies an increase in intensity of preparation.

had been working toward

Focuses on the long-term effort invested.

had been aiming for

Highlights the goal or objective of the preparation.

had been in training for

Highlights to be following a regimented routine.

had been drilled for

Focuses on the rigorous training received.

had been groomed for

Highlights the process of refining skills and qualities.

FAQs

How do I use "had been training for" in a sentence?

Use "had been training for" to describe a period of preparation leading up to an event in the past. For example, "He "had been training for" the Olympics when he suffered an injury."

What can I say instead of "had been training for"?

You can use alternatives like "had been preparing for", "had been practicing for", or "had been getting ready for" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been training for" or "has been training for"?

"Had been training for" is used for past events, while "has been training for" is used for events that continue to the present. For example, "She "had been training for" the race last year" versus "She "has been training for" the upcoming race".

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

"Had been training for" implies a continuous action over a period before a past event. "Trained for" simply means that the training occurred, without specifying duration. Example: "They "had been training for" months" vs "They "trained for" the event".