I had interviewed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had interviewed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an interview took place before another event in the past. Example: "Before I accepted the job offer, I had interviewed with several other companies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"I had interviewed him before he went to jail.

The Guardian - Arts

I had interviewed him at police headquarters a few days before and now I greeted him.

The New Yorker

During a break in the action, someone mentioned that I had interviewed President Ahmadinejad that week.

The New Yorker

I had interviewed people with very modest incomes who had taken out big loans.

The New York Times - Magazine

I had interviewed him not long before, and so took this opportunity to introduce her.

The New York Times

I had interviewed Miss Lillian and the Carters' sons when I was working in Columbus.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

I've interviewed parents.

The Guardian - Opinion

I've interviewed her repeatedly.

The New York Times - Magazine

I've interviewed em both!

The Guardian - Film

"I've interviewed him in his office.

The Guardian

I have interviewed him many times since.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had interviewed" to clearly establish that the interview took place before another past event. This helps to create a clear timeline for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using the simple past "I interviewed" when you need to emphasize that the interview happened before another event in the past. Using the past perfect "I had interviewed" ensures clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had interviewed" functions as the main clause's verb phrase in the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of interviewing was completed before another event in the past. This is verified by Ludwig examples showcasing its use in reporting and recounting past events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I had interviewed" is a grammatically sound construction used to denote an interview that occurred before a subsequent event in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is correct and appropriate in written English. While alternatives exist, such as "I interviewed" and "I spoke with", the past perfect tense is essential for establishing a clear chronological order. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for formal contexts and academic writing. Remember to use "I had interviewed" to enhance clarity when illustrating past sequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I previously interviewed

Adds the adverb "previously" to explicitly state the action occurred before a certain time.

I interviewed

Uses simple past tense instead of past perfect, indicating the action happened at a specific time in the past.

I once interviewed

Indicates that the interview happened on one occasion in the past.

I've interviewed

Uses present perfect tense, focusing on the experience or result of interviewing someone.

I conducted an interview with

Replaces "interviewed" with a more formal phrase, emphasizing the act of conducting.

I held an interview with

Replaces "interviewed" with "held an interview", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I have had the chance to interview

Emphasizes the opportunity to conduct the interview.

I spoke with

Offers a more casual alternative, suggesting a less formal conversation.

I had a conversation with

Similar to "I spoke with", but slightly more formal.

An interview was conducted by me with

Uses the passive voice, shifting the focus from the interviewer to the interview itself.

FAQs

How do I use "I had interviewed" in a sentence?

Use "I had interviewed" to indicate that an interview took place before another event in the past. For example: "Before publishing the article, "I had interviewed" several experts in the field".

What are some alternatives to "I had interviewed"?

You can use alternatives such as "I interviewed" (simple past), "I spoke with" (less formal), or "I conducted an interview with" (more formal), depending on the context.

What is the difference between "I interviewed" and "I had interviewed"?

"I interviewed" (simple past) describes an action that happened at a specific time in the past. ""I had interviewed"" (past perfect) indicates that the interview occurred before another past event.

Is "I've interviewed" the same as "I had interviewed"?

No, "I've interviewed" (present perfect) focuses on the experience or result of interviewing someone up to the present, while ""I had interviewed"" (past perfect) focuses on the interview's completion before another past event.