had traditionally been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had traditionally been" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a practice or belief that has been established over a long period of time before a certain point in the past. Example: "The festival had traditionally been celebrated in the spring, marking the arrival of warmer weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The region had traditionally been dominated by the agricultural sector.

Land Use Policy

The secretary of the Army had traditionally been No. 3.

The New York Times

They had traditionally been bought for their yields".

The New York Times

"I have an acute new appreciation for what had traditionally been a woman's role".

The New York Times

The age had traditionally been 65, but it is slowly being raised to age 67.

The New York Times

Equities had traditionally been seen as paying a risk premium over the return on safe assets.

The Economist

Still, it was a task that had traditionally been handled by programmers, mostly for logistical reasons.

The New Yorker

Ms. Parker said bus service had traditionally been reduced on these days, with little outcry.

The New York Times

Down's syndrome children, sometimes termed mongoloid, had traditionally been sent off to separate schools.

The New York Times

Oddly, in many employers, phones had traditionally been supplied by Facilities or HR - not IT.

The Guardian - Tech

The Salvation Army said its average thrift-store shopper had traditionally been upper or middle class.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had traditionally been" to provide historical context or background information, especially when explaining why current practices or situations have evolved. This adds depth and understanding to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had traditionally been" when the practice is still ongoing or has not changed significantly. This phrase is best suited for describing practices that have genuinely shifted or evolved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had traditionally been" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase, indicating a past perfect continuous state or action. It sets a historical context, describing practices, roles, or conditions that were customary or common before a certain point in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

20%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had traditionally been" is a versatile auxiliary verb phrase used to describe past customs, practices, or states that have since changed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It frequently appears in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", indicating its suitability for formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly shows a shift from past to present and that the timeframe is accurately represented. Consider alternatives like "was historically" or "had always been" to fine-tune the meaning. By understanding its nuances and usage patterns, writers can effectively convey historical context and the evolution of practices in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had customarily been

Direct synonym replacing "traditionally" with "customarily".

had always been

Stresses continuity from the past to the present; stronger emphasis on duration.

had long been

Highlights the duration of the practice or state.

was historically

Emphasizes historical context rather than continuous tradition.

had typically been

Focuses on typicality rather than tradition; indicates common occurrence.

was by custom

Focuses specifically on custom as the basis for the practice.

was formerly

Focuses on a previous state or condition, lacking the emphasis on custom.

had generally been

Emphasizes general practice rather than a firmly established tradition.

was previously

Highlights a prior state without necessarily implying a long-standing tradition.

was characteristically

Indicates typical behavior, but not specifically in the past.

FAQs

How do I use "had traditionally been" in a sentence?

Use "had traditionally been" to describe something that was a customary or common practice in the past, but is no longer the case. For example, "The role "had traditionally been" filled by men, but now women are also considered".

What can I say instead of "had traditionally been"?

You can use alternatives like "was historically", "had always been", or "was formerly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has traditionally been" instead of "had traditionally been"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they refer to different timeframes. "Has traditionally been" implies a tradition that continues to the present, while "had traditionally been" refers to a tradition that existed in the past but has since changed.

What is the difference between "had traditionally been" and "used to be"?

"Had traditionally been" suggests a long-standing custom or practice, whereas "used to be" simply indicates a past state or condition. The former implies a deeper-rooted history and cultural context.