How to use Had Been, Has Been, or Have Been?

How to use Had Been, Has Been, or Have Been?


are all verb phrases used in English to indicate different points in time in relation to the present, past, or future perfect tenses.

Here's how to use each of them:




 

 


Had been



"Had been" is the past perfect tense of the verb "to be."



It is used to indicate an action or state that was completed before another past action or point in time.


 

 

 

 

 


Example:

 

 


 "She had been working at the company for five years before she decided to resign."
(Indicates an action completed before another past action)

"He realized that he had been mistaken about the date of the meeting."
(Indicates a completed state before another past action)



 

 


Has been



"Has been" is the present perfect tense of the verb "to be."


It is used to indicate an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present, or to describe an experience or accomplishment up to the present moment.


 

 

 

 

 


Example:

 

 


"She has been studying English for three years." (Indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the  present)

"The project has been completed ahead of schedule." (Indicates completion up to the present moment)



 

 


Have been



"Have been" is also the present perfect tense of the verb "to be."


It is used with plural subjects (e.g., "we," "you," "they") to indicate an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present, or to describe an experience or accomplishment up to the present moment.


 

 

 

 

 


Example:

 

 


"We have been friends since childhood."
(Indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the present)

"They have been working on this project for months." (Indicates completion up to the present moment)



Remember

the choice between "has been" and "have been" depends on the subject of the sentence: "has been" is used with singular subjects, and "have been" is used with plural subjects.