Has there been any case like this before vs Had there been any case like this before

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Has there been any case like this before?' is used when asking about a situation that may still be relevant or ongoing. 'Had there been any case like this before?' is used when referring to a past situation that is no longer relevant or ongoing.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 991 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when asking about a situation that may still be relevant or ongoing.

"Has there been any case like this before "

This phrase is used to inquire about the existence of similar cases in the past that may have relevance to the current situation.

Examples:

Has there been any case like this before in our company?
Has there been any case like this before in the history of this town?
Has there been any case like this before in your experience?

Show examples from the web [+]

Have there been any cases of malfunctioning of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund hitherto related to its governance? 2.
Have there been any cases where appropriations allocated for gender mainstreaming measures and activities to promote equal opportunities were not drawn upon?
Have there been any cases of infringement by Member States with regard to this directive?
I have never had a case like this before.
Have there been any cases where, pursuant to Article 7 of the Protocol, the Commission has been obliged to reconsider a legislative proposal following the receipt of a sufficient number of unfavourable reports?
In the same years have there been any cases where pensioners still living and entitled to a pension have been overpaid or underpaid?
You've profiled cases like this before at the FBI.
Honestly, we have never had a case like this before.
I've seen one case like this before in a 9-year-old.
In the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 have there been any cases of EEC pensions paid to former officials, their spouses or dependent children continuing to be paid after the death of the person entitled to the pension?
In any case, before us today is a report which reveals that not a great deal has been done to comply with the requests, the 44 recommendations we had made.
The Court of Justice of the European Union may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
Article III-287 The Court of Justice may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
Article 243 The Court of Justice may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
As such, it would close in any case before enlargement became effective on 1 May 2004.
Payments from Member States to the EIB shall be made without delay and in any case before commitments are entered into by the EIB.
No one has ever won a lead paint liability case before.
1. The Member States shall become contracting parties to the 1996 Convention as soon as possible and in any case before the date indicated in Article 13 of this Directive.
Member States shall become contracting parties to the Bunker Oil Convention as soon as possible and in any case before the date indicated in Article 18(1) of this Directive.
Member States shall become contracting parties to the HNS Convention as soon as possible and in any case before the date indicated in Article 18(1) of this Directive.

Alternatives:

Have there been any cases like this before?
Were there any cases like this before?
Did this situation occur before?
Has anything similar happened before?
Is this a unique case or has it happened before?

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a past situation that is no longer relevant or ongoing.

"Had there been any case like this before"

This phrase is used to ask about the existence of similar cases in the past that are no longer relevant to the current situation.

Examples:

Had there been any case like this before you joined the team?
Had there been any case like this before the new policy was implemented?
Had there been any case like this before the company restructured?

Show examples from the web [+]

Have there been any cases of malfunctioning of the Hellenic Financial Stability Fund hitherto related to its governance? 2.
I have never had a case like this before.
Honestly, we have never had a case like this before.
Have there been any cases where appropriations allocated for gender mainstreaming measures and activities to promote equal opportunities were not drawn upon?
Have there been any cases of infringement by Member States with regard to this directive?
Have there been any cases where, pursuant to Article 7 of the Protocol, the Commission has been obliged to reconsider a legislative proposal following the receipt of a sufficient number of unfavourable reports?
In the same years have there been any cases where pensioners still living and entitled to a pension have been overpaid or underpaid?
You've profiled cases like this before at the FBI.
I've seen one case like this before in a 9-year-old.
Especially since I personally have never had a case like Kate's before.
In the years 2007, 2008 and 2009 have there been any cases of EEC pensions paid to former officials, their spouses or dependent children continuing to be paid after the death of the person entitled to the pension?
In any case, before us today is a report which reveals that not a great deal has been done to comply with the requests, the 44 recommendations we had made.
The Court of Justice of the European Union may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
Article III-287 The Court of Justice may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
Article 243 The Court of Justice may in any cases before it prescribe any necessary interim measures.
As such, it would close in any case before enlargement became effective on 1 May 2004.
Payments from Member States to the EIB shall be made without delay and in any case before commitments are entered into by the EIB.
You've commandeered my case before I knew I had one.
Lime says CID had this case before and suddenly dropped it.
I didn't even know Alicia had a case before you.

Alternatives:

Were there any cases like this before?
Did this situation occur before?
Had anything similar happened before?
Were there any similar incidents in the past?
Had there been any similar occurrences previously?

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Has there been any case like this before vs Had there been any case like this before