The questions from today’s “January 15, 2026” on NYT Mini Crossword are a little bit brain teaser. Many people are looking for an answer to it. Here we are sharing answers for clues.
Clue: Had been
Answer: WERE
Explanation:
The answer to the crossword clue “Had been” is “WERE.” This is a straightforward example of verb tense transformation in English. “Were” is the past tense of the verb “to be,” used for plural subjects or the singular “you” in past tense constructions. When you see the phrase “had been,” it typically hints at a past state or condition, and “were” captures this by indicating that something existed or occurred in the past. For example, if you say “They were happy,” it means happiness was a state they experienced previously. In crossword puzzles, understanding these verb forms and their contexts is crucial for solving clues efficiently. The clue “Had been” is a direct nod to the past tense form of “to be,” making “WERE” an appropriate and concise answer.
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