had historically been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'had historically been' is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase to indicate that something has been happening over a long period of time. For example: "Schools had historically been reserved for the wealthy upper classes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Hamieh clan had historically been one of Lebanon's toughest.

The New Yorker

Natural Le Coultre's profits had historically been a few million dollars a year.

The New Yorker

The company said the first quarter had historically been a loss period.

The New York Times

And he had taken a clear lead in national polls of Republicans, of a magnitude that had historically been insurmountable.

The New York Times

Begun as a summer season extender, the Miss America Pageant had historically been held the second weekend after Labor Day.

The New York Times

It later added that cash deals had "historically been the typical modus operandi in Dubai's cosmopolitan wholesale gold market".

The Guardian - Business

In postwar Germany, blessed by steady economic growth, relations between workers and industry had historically been harmonious.

The New York Times

And the creation of the euro instilled a new sense of confidence, especially in those European countries that had historically been considered investment risks.

The New York Times - Magazine

The design of the rubber condom was based on the cloth bags and animal intestines that had historically been used as makeshift contraceptives.

The New York Times - Arts

It was their inability to simply cut taxes that really made Republicans interested in tax reform, which had historically been of more interest to Democrats.

The New York Times

"Auto loans are a depreciating asset, while housing had historically been an appreciating asset," Daniel Indiviglio of The Atlantic recently wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had historically been" to provide context by emphasizing a long-term trend or situation that existed in the past, helping readers understand the present state.

Common error

Avoid using "had historically been" when referring to recent events or situations that are still ongoing; use "has historically been" or "is historically" instead to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had historically been" functions as part of the past perfect construction, indicating a state or condition that existed for a prolonged period before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in describing past trends and situations, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

23%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had historically been" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to describe conditions or situations that prevailed over a significant period in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage. Predominantly found in neutral to formal contexts such as news articles and academic papers, this phrase effectively provides historical context, aiding readers in understanding present-day scenarios. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation being described is no longer current; otherwise, "has historically been" would be more appropriate. By using "had historically been", writers can add depth and perspective to their narratives, enriching the reader's understanding of evolving trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had previously been

Stresses a state that existed at an earlier time.

was typically

Emphasizes a common or usual occurrence in the past.

was traditionally

Focuses more on established customs or practices.

had once been

Suggests a past condition that is no longer true.

was formerly

Highlights a previous state that is no longer current.

used to be

Emphasizes a past habit or condition that has changed.

was characteristically

Highlights the typical nature of something in the past.

has a history of being

Shifts the focus to the existence of a historical trend.

was in the past

A simple statement that something occurred at an earlier time.

was known as

Focuses on a past identity or title.

FAQs

How can I use "had historically been" in a sentence?

Use "had historically been" to describe a condition or situation that existed over a significant period in the past. For example, "The region "had historically been" an agricultural center before industrialization".

What's a good alternative to "had historically been"?

Depending on the specific meaning you want to convey, alternatives include "was traditionally", "was formerly", or "used to be".

What's the difference between "had historically been" and "has historically been"?

"Had historically been" refers to a past state that is no longer true, while "has historically been" indicates a state that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The island "had historically been" isolated (but now has bridges)" vs "The island "has historically been" a popular tourist destination".

Is it correct to use "had historically been" to describe something that is still true today?

No, "had historically been" should only be used to describe something that was true in the past but is no longer the case. If the statement remains true, use "has historically been" or "is historically". For example, if something is no longer true, the correct term is ""had historically been"", while if it continues to be true then the term is ""has historically been"".