She had been a friend vs She has been a friend

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'She had been a friend' is past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed before a certain point in the past. 'She has been a friend' is present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 749 views

This phrase is correct in the past perfect tense, indicating an action that was completed before a certain point in the past.

"She had been a friend"

This phrase is used to talk about a past action that was completed before another past action or a specific point in time.

Examples:

She had been a friend for many years before they had a falling out.
By the time she moved away, she had been a friend for a long time.

Show examples from the web [+]

Okay, I was at the gym and she had been waiting for a friend and asked to borrow my phone.
She told me she had to meet a friend.
Mary wished she had a friend to play piggybacks with.
She had a friend, he was here illegally.
She said she had a friend who was doing advanced cancer research.
If she had a friend, maybe...
Luckily she had a friend - Mick, her husband.
She had a friend named Miranda.
I rang a friend who was working at Queen Charlotte's, and she had no new pregnancies, either.
Mario, I passed by twice to ask if she had a friend...
Travelling by metro to the flat of a friend, she had a relapse in the Rue Moineau.
Debbie said she had a friend - someone high up in a big company - who wanted to blow the whistle on something.
Debbie said she had a friend... someone high up in a big company... who wanted to blow the whistle on something.
She had gotten a text from a friend.
Ji Hyun said she had a friend to introduce to me.
Rebecca didn't tell me she had a friend from England.
I have a friend who experienced this many years ago. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and told to get her affairs in order.
I have a friend, Shui Fa, she had to flee China after the Communist Revolution.
According to a friend, she had been conducting seances and using Ouija boards.
"holiday." You know, it'd be really great if she had a friend to smoke with and cry to.

Alternatives:

She used to be a friend
She had been friends with him for a long time
She had been a close friend
She had been a good friend
She had been a loyal friend

This phrase is correct in the present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present.

"She has been a friend"

This phrase is used to talk about a past action that has relevance to the present moment.

Examples:

She has been a friend for as long as I can remember.
I can always count on her; she has been a friend through thick and thin.

Show examples from the web [+]

She has been a host and friend.
Doesn't matter about my personal opinion about that young girl, but she has been a bloody good friend to you, and she's been loyal.
She has a friend who needs her today.
She has a friend named Sam.
She has a... a friend named Pam Hexton.
She has a friend named Drill.
Anyway, turns out she has a friend who's newly single.
She has a friend there, a German writer, very smart.
I'm glad she has a friend at work she can get through the day with.
I'll ask if she has a friend for you.
Ask her if she has a friend.
I haven't asked her if she has a friend.
It's fortunate she has a friend in the church to counsel her in the institution of holy matrimony.
She says she has a friend that might have a listing for us.
She hasn't had a friend to talk to in years.
She has at least recommended a friend of hers... who can replace her immediately.
She has to RSVP that she's going alone to a friend's engagement party.
It may bankrupt our family, but at least she has a friend that gives her a little push.
Yes, she has a friend named Gandalf who happens to be a wizard.
Fine, I'll ask if she has a friend for you.

Alternatives:

She is a friend
She has been a good friend to me
She has been a loyal friend for many years
She has been a true friend
She has been a supportive friend

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She had been a friend vs She has been a friend