had been turned over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been turned over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been transferred or handed over to someone else, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The case had been turned over to the authorities for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

By July, however, that state force had been turned over to the Confederate government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sprawling military bases and forlorn desert outposts had been turned over or simply left behind.

The New York Times

The letter informed him that the phone records had been turned over in May.

The New York Times

Power had been turned over to local authorities who had legitimacy.

The New Yorker

The official said the agent's accusations had been turned over to the inspector general for investigation.

The New York Times

Under a settlement agreement, almost everything he owned had been turned over to a fund to compensate former shareholders.

The New Yorker

Then, he said, he learned the weapon had been turned over to an American soldier, who was a Jew.

The New York Times

A United spokesman refused to comment, except to say that the passenger list had been turned over to investigators.

The New York Times

City officials said video from the Sunday evening encounter had been turned over to the prosecutor's office.

The Guardian

Intelligence officials also acknowledged that some suspects had been turned over to security services in countries known to employ torture.

The New York Times

Photographs from inside the flat showed a cramped and shabby home whose contents had been turned over by investigators.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been turned over", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what initiated the transfer and who or what received it. This clarifies the action and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been turned over" when a simple past tense like "was turned over" is more appropriate. Use the past perfect tense only when referring to an action completed before another action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been turned over" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being transferred. It often implies a formal or official transfer of responsibility or possession, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been turned over" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a completed transfer of responsibility, control, or possession. Ludwig confirms its validity and demonstrates usage in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the entities involved in the transfer and choose the appropriate tense. Alternatives like "had been handed over" or "had been transferred" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Therefore, understanding its function, purpose, and register will allow you to use it effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been handed over

Replaces "turned over" with "handed over", a synonym that emphasizes the physical act of transferring something.

had been transferred

Substitutes "turned over" with "transferred", highlighting the change in ownership or responsibility.

had been passed on

Replaces "turned over" with "passed on", indicating a transfer from one party to another.

had been ceded

Uses "ceded" instead of "turned over", suggesting a formal surrender of control or territory.

had been relinquished

Replaces "turned over" with "relinquished", implying a voluntary surrender of something.

had been consigned

Substitutes "turned over" with "consigned", often used in the context of entrusting something to someone.

had been delivered

Replaces "turned over" with "delivered", focusing on the act of conveying something to a recipient.

had been submitted

Uses "submitted" instead of "turned over", emphasizing the act of formally presenting something for consideration.

had been yielded

Replaces "turned over" with "yielded", suggesting a surrender or concession of something.

had been surrendered

Substitutes "turned over" with "surrendered", highlighting the act of giving up control or possession.

FAQs

How do I use "had been turned over" in a sentence?

Use "had been turned over" to describe an action of transferring something that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "The evidence "had been turned over" to the police before the trial began."

What is a synonym for "had been turned over"?

A synonym for "had been turned over" is "had been handed over". Both phrases indicate the transfer of something from one party to another.

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

Yes, "was turned over" can be correct, depending on the context. Use "was turned over" for a simple past action, and "had been turned over" for an action completed before another past action. For example, "The documents "were turned over" yesterday" versus "The documents "had been turned over" before the investigation started."

What does "had been turned over" imply?

"Had been turned over" implies that something has been transferred or handed over to someone else, often in a formal or legal context. It suggests a completed action of transferring responsibility, control, or items.