When do I use 'has been', 'have been' and 'had been'?

Question

I keep getting these wrong in tenses exercises. A simple rule with examples would really help.

Dhanashree Adityaroy · Answer

Has been is used when you want to indicate a singular action, already completed. (Present perfect tense) eg. The report has been published. 
Reena has been promoted. 
Have been is used to indicate plural actions/ subjects. (Again, Present perfect tense) 
Eg. The reports have been published. 
Reena and Meena have been promoted. 
Had been, on the other hand, indicates Past Perfect Tense, and can be used for both, singular, or plural action/ subject/s.
Eg. The report had been published. 
The reports had been published. 
Reena had been promoted. 
Reena and Meena had been promoted.

When do I use 'has been', 'have been' and 'had been'?

1 answer