I had conceived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had conceived" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an idea or plan was formed in the past, often before another past event. Example: "Before the project began, I had conceived a detailed outline of our goals and objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I had conceived "Minka" as a film about memory.

The New York Times - Travel

"It did not work out at all the way I had conceived it".

The New York Times - Books

I had conceived naturally at 37 with our first child and foolishly assumed I could get pregnant again.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I just thought she was the best person to play the part as I had conceived it," he says.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At one point, I had conceived "The Orville" as a show that could be on Netflix or Amazon or Hulu.

The New Yorker

"I had conceived of the idea almost as a joke when I was in college," Mr. Yurick said in a recent interview.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

John and I have conceived this merger to benefit our clients by bringing together the most comprehensive offering of analog and digital services".

The New York Times

"I was asked: Could I have conceived of myself being on the other side of Napster, Microsoft and Bush v. Gore?

The New York Times

"O Newton," wrote Boullee, "as by the extent of your wisdom and the sublimity of your genius you determined the shape of the earth; I have conceived the idea of enveloping you in your own discovery".

The New York Times - Arts

"I knew that Prokofiev had conceived a happy ending for the ballet," Mr. Morrison said, "but I did not know that the piano music existed intact, with the orchestration either written in or modeled elsewhere in the score.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think initially Sarah had conceived the character as a traditionally handsome gay man with good bone structure," Creighton said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had conceived" when you want to emphasize that an idea or plan was formed at a specific point in the past, especially before another event occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "I had conceived" when describing current ideas or plans. This phrase is specific to past actions. Use "I conceive" or "I have conceived" when describing ideas that are currently being formed or have relevance to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had conceived" functions as the main clause of a sentence, expressing a completed action in the past before another past event. It indicates the formation of an idea or plan. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, this formation often precedes further actions or developments.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I had conceived" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that an idea or plan was formed in the past before another event occurred. According to Ludwig, it's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, remember to maintain a sequence of past events. If you're seeking an alternative, consider similar phrases like "I had envisioned" or "I had imagined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoiding present contexts, as also Ludwig confirmed, helps prevent common tense errors. Remember to use "I conceive" or "I have conceived" if speaking in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had envisioned

Replaces "conceived" with a stronger visual element, suggesting a mental image.

I had imagined

Offers a broader sense of creating a mental picture or idea, less formal than "conceived".

I had formulated

Indicates a more structured and deliberate process of developing an idea.

I had developed

Suggests a gradual process of growth and refinement of an idea.

I had planned

Emphasizes the creation of a detailed scheme for future action.

I had designed

Focuses on the structural and functional aspects of the idea.

I had created

Highlights the act of bringing something new into existence.

I had thought up

A more informal way of saying "I had conceived", implying a spontaneous idea.

I had invented

Suggests a unique and original creation.

I had dreamt up

Emphasizes the fantastical or whimsical nature of the idea.

FAQs

How can I use "I had conceived" in a sentence?

Use "I had conceived" to indicate that you formed an idea or plan at some point in the past, especially before something else happened. For example, "Before the meeting, "I had conceived" a different approach to the problem".

What's the difference between "I conceived" and "I had conceived"?

"I conceived" indicates a past action, while "I had conceived" places the action further in the past, often before another past event. For example, "I conceived the idea last week" versus "By the time we met, "I had conceived" the idea".

What can I say instead of "I had conceived"?

You can use alternatives like "I had imagined", "I had envisioned", or "I had formulated" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "I had conceived of" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I had conceived of" is grammatically correct and means the same as "I had conceived". The "of" is optional but can add emphasis to the object of the conception. For example, ""I had conceived" a plan" and "I had conceived of a plan" are both acceptable.