there was an error vs there had been an error with

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'There was an error' is used to describe a past event simply, while 'There had been an error with' is used to indicate a past event that occurred before another past event. The choice between the two depends on the specific timeline you are referring to.

Last updated: March 15, 2024 • 1185 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a past event.

"there was an error"

This phrase is used to state that an error occurred in the past without specifying a particular time frame.

Examples:

There was an error in the system.
I was told there was an error in the report.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 18, 2024

Apr 4, 2015 ... Solved: Hi, I am having issues downloading a folder in Dropbox. It comes up with the error "there was an error downloading your file".
Jul 11, 2024 ... 17 votes, 39 comments. When I try posting something on my computer it says "There was an error. Please try again later".
Dec 5, 2022 ... When I try access the hosted feature layer to see and update the data, I get this error message that says "There was an error publishing the service."
May 23, 2024 ... Whenever I do a search it comes back with no results and a message which states: "There was an error displaying the search results. Please ...
Jun 1, 2023 ... There was an error reconnecting to the Chrome DevTools protocol. Please restart the browser. Also reported in stackoverflow [https:// ...
Dec 20, 2011 ... There was an error while copying to the Clipboard.... 2. Upvote. There was an error while copying to the Clipboard. An internal error occurred.
Jul 30, 2020 ... There was an error reading the rules from the server. The format of the server rules was not recognized. I have recently been upgraded by my ...
Jan 23, 2024 ... Persistent Error in Adobe InDesign: 'There Was an Error Updating the Artifact ... When I go to update a review link in InDesign, I keep getting ...
Aug 6, 2014 ... There was an error saving. I can't saving changes. Checked my perms via ls -l. Look fine. Was working OK yesterday. deleted-user-120796 | 52 ...
Oct 13, 2020 ... When I try to click on them, I get the following error: There was an error opening this document. The file cannot be accessed by the system. I' ...

Alternatives:

There was a mistake.
An error occurred.
An error was made.

This phrase is correct and is used to indicate a past event that occurred before another past event.

"there had been an error with"

This phrase is used when you want to emphasize that an error had occurred prior to another event in the past.

Examples:

There had been an error with the previous version of the software.
She realized there had been an error with the calculations.

Show examples from the web [+]

There was a message from zotero that there had been an error with the sync. I sent the report and the report ID is 300150073. What do I need to ...
May 9, 2014 ... Several hours later, the players were pulled off the field 45 minutes into practice and told there had been an error with the wild-card points.
May 7, 2014 ... She was right and there had been an error with the initial measurement and the baby's legs are still very long. Given we are both tall this is not ...
Aug 25, 2014 ... As a pensioner, I got a bill for $1600 out of the blue and a form letter saying there had been an error with my usage going back two years.

Alternatives:

There was an error with
An error had occurred with
An error had been made with

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

there was an error vs there had been an error with