had been worn out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been worn out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been exhausted or used to the point of no longer being functional or effective, often referring to physical objects or even people in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After years of heavy use, the old shoes had been worn out and needed to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Her hair had been worn out from shows and shoots.

The New York Times

He had been worn out by her, Lei had said toward the end of the marriage, not without bitterness.

The New Yorker

When Mr. Cole bought half of it, in 1995, the land had been worn out by conventional farming.

The New York Times - Food

Speaking in his native Spanish, Chapman's voice sounded tired, as if his answer had been worn out, when asked his opinion on when he might start.

The New York Times - Sports

Even running without help, Wanjiru easily finished ahead of Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco, who lurked behind the lead pack, then picked off the other front-runners who had been worn out by Wanjiru.

The New York Times - Sports

When Baker first approached me about an interview and to offer what little insight I had on years of covering the Bushes in Texas, my reaction was that he was too late and that the public had been worn out by the publishing deluge prompted by George W's incompetence and lying.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Keynes died in 1946, aged 63, said to have been worn out by overwork.

The Guardian

How much would you pay for two sweaty vests that have been worn out by use in a Broadway play?

The New York Times

Probably everyone, at one time or another, has been worn out by an uninspired documentary that trumpets the wonders of nature without eliciting any awe.

The New York Times

Those who have followed his career won't be surprised, either, by his progression from aesthetic anarchist to savvy, all-purpose designer and illustrator whose street cred has been worn out by his all-too-successful commercial ventures.

The New York Times - Arts

When Maclise died, he was said to have been worn out by overwork and depressed by the death of his patron Prince Albert and the cancellation of the remaining grandiose paintings planned for the Palace of Westminster.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional or mental states, use "had been worn out" to convey prolonged exhaustion or depletion rather than temporary tiredness.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "had been worn out" in very casual conversation can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler phrases like "was tired" or "was exhausted" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been worn out" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect passive voice. As noted by Ludwig, it describes a state of depletion or exhaustion that occurred before a specific point in the past. This construction highlights the result of a process or action on a subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

16%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had been worn out" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that indicates something has been exhausted or used to the point of ineffectiveness. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness. While it is more common in news and media contexts, it can also appear in academic and formal settings. Consider the level of formality appropriate for your audience, as simpler alternatives might be preferable in casual conversations. Remember to reserve this expression for situations requiring the past perfect tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had become depleted

Replaces "worn out" with a synonym emphasizing reduction in quantity or effectiveness.

had been exhausted

Substitutes "worn out" with a term highlighting complete depletion of energy or resources.

had been used up

Replaces "worn out" with a phrase indicating complete consumption or utilization.

had deteriorated

Focuses on the decline in quality or condition, rather than just usage.

had become unusable

Highlights the state of being unfit or impossible to use.

had reached the end of its lifespan

Indicates the terminal stage of an item's usability.

had lost its effectiveness

Emphasizes the loss of the ability to produce a desired result.

had given out

Emphasizes a sudden failure after prolonged use.

had been rendered obsolete

Focuses on something being outdated or no longer applicable.

had fallen into disrepair

Emphasizes the condition of neglect and deterioration.

FAQs

How can I use "had been worn out" in a sentence?

Use "had been worn out" to describe something that was used extensively to the point of exhaustion or damage. For example, "The tires "had been worn out" after the long journey".

What is a synonym for "had been worn out"?

Synonyms include "had been exhausted", "had become depleted", or "had been used up", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "had been worn out" or "was worn out"?

"Had been worn out" implies the action happened before another point in the past, while "was worn out" describes a state in the past. For example, "The book was worn out" suggests it was in a worn state. "The book "had been worn out" before I borrowed it" indicates its condition prior to borrowing.

Can "had been worn out" apply to both physical objects and people?

Yes, while often used for physical objects, "had been worn out" can also be used metaphorically to describe a person's state of exhaustion after prolonged effort. For example, "After weeks of intense work, she "had been worn out"".