had been withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been withdrawn" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was removed or taken back in the past, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The funds had been withdrawn from the account before the investigation began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the tanks had been withdrawn, he said, snipers persisted.

The New York Times

Between Monday and Wednesday, another €2bn had been withdrawn.

Independent

In fact, the warrant had been withdrawn five months before.

The New York Times

Grayling acknowledged that the sanctions had been withdrawn.

The Guardian

Then came the news that legal aid had been withdrawn.

The Guardian

And all weekend there were rumors that the sculpture had been withdrawn from the sale.

The New York Times

By this time, most Army and Marine combat forces had been withdrawn.

The New York Times

"On Monday, the college said that the gift had been withdrawn".

The New York Times

Mr. Ramone was pleased to learn that the contested artifact had been withdrawn.

The New York Times

More than $400m of bank deposits had been withdrawn in those early months, he said.

The Economist

Hoggard had been withdrawn and the last wicket was proving elusive.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been withdrawn" when you want to clearly state that something was previously available or in effect but is no longer so. This is particularly useful in formal writing and reports.

Common error

Avoid using "was withdrawn" when "had been withdrawn" is more appropriate. "Was withdrawn" might suggest a more recent or single action, while "had been withdrawn" indicates a state resulting from a past action that's relevant to the current context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been withdrawn" functions as a past perfect passive construction. It describes a state where something was previously present or available but was removed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from legal matters to financial transactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been withdrawn" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect passive phrase. It signifies that something was taken back or removed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in news, science, and general writing contexts, indicating a broad applicability. While primarily neutral to formal, it's crucial to avoid confusing it with simpler past tense forms like "was withdrawn". Mastering its use enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been retracted

Emphasizes the act of taking something back, often a statement or offer.

had been removed

Focuses on the physical or abstract removal of something.

had been rescinded

Implies a formal cancellation or repeal of a decision or law.

had been revoked

Suggests the formal annulment of a privilege or right.

had been repealed

Specifically refers to the cancellation of a law or regulation.

had been terminated

Indicates the ending or cessation of something, such as a contract or agreement.

had been canceled

A more general term for stopping something from happening or being valid.

had been taken back

A more informal way of saying something was retracted.

had been invalidated

Implies that something has been rendered null or void.

had been suspended

Indicates a temporary removal or cessation.

FAQs

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

The phrase "had been withdrawn" indicates that something was removed or taken back at a point in the past before something else occurred. For example, "The offer "had been withdrawn" before he could accept it".

What are some alternatives to "had been withdrawn"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had been retracted", "had been removed", or "had been canceled".

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

While "was withdrawn" is grammatically correct, "had been withdrawn" emphasizes that the action of withdrawing occurred before a specific point in time. The choice depends on the context and the specific meaning you want to convey.

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

"Had been withdrawn" is in the past perfect passive voice, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Was withdrawn" is in the simple past passive voice, indicating a completed action in the past without necessarily relating it to another past event.