had adopted before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had adopted before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a past action that was completed prior to another past event or action. Example: "The committee had adopted before the new regulations were introduced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

About a week ago, she proudly settled into a rental apartment of her own, which she shares with her mother and her young daughter (a niece whom she had adopted before the earthquake).

The New York Times

The son of Sigebert III, Dagobert was packed off to an Irish monastery following the death of his father in 656, and the Austrasian throne was taken by Childebert the Adopted, son of Grimoald, the Austrasian mayor of the palace, whom the king had adopted before Dagobert's birth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After Ms. Bayes's death, her fifth husband, Benjamin Friedland, continued to make monthly payments to Woodlawn over the 18-year period so that Ms. Bayes could remain in the receiving tomb, even after he remarried and continued to raise the three young children Ms. Bayes had adopted before marrying him in 1925.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It is a position he has adopted before - and one that has often ended with success.

BBC

When Ulbricht, the ringleader, was hiring help to expand his operation, he used the same pseudonym he had adopted years before to post announcements on illegal drug discussion forums; that and other moments of sloppiness made him a suspect.

Science Magazine

The bill stated that areas that had adopted bans before January could keep them in place.

Huffington Post

Manufacturers did not have to wait until the rest of the world had adopted similar legislation before taking the hint.

The Economist

As of August 31, 39percentt of S&P 500 companies provide a proxy access right, and 264 U.S. companies in the Russell 3000 have adopted some form of proxy access; only 16 of these companies had adopted proxy access before 2015.

Harvard University

Several states had adopted an MLDA21 before the FUDAA, but the other states were less eager to change.

Forbes

Stern connected with Al-shaymaa John Kwegyir, Tanzania's first albino member of parliament who had adopted the orphans before they left their homeland.

Los Angeles Times

For the past three years, she's lived with Novotny, a social worker who has one biological child and had adopted seven others before Abby.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had adopted before" to clearly establish a sequence of past events, ensuring the adoption occurred prior to another event mentioned in your sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "had adopted before" when a simple past tense is sufficient. The past perfect should only be used when referring to an action completed before another action in the past. For example, instead of "He adopted a dog before he moved", use "He had adopted a dog before he moved" only if emphasizing the adoption's completion relative to the move.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had adopted before" functions as a past perfect construction to indicate that an action (adoption) was completed prior to another action or point in the past. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing completed actions influencing subsequent events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

21%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had adopted before" is a grammatically correct past perfect construction used to illustrate that an adoption occurred prior to another event in the past. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is considered proper in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is primarily found in news and media, academic writing, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that a clear sequence of events is being established, and consider alternative phrasing if a simpler past tense suffices. Remember that this tool is to highlight the difference of two actions that occurred in the past, and one preceded the other.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had embraced previously

Emphasizes acceptance or support of something at an earlier time.

had formerly endorsed

Highlights a previous official approval or backing.

had taken up earlier

Focuses on the commencement or beginning of something at a prior point.

had implemented beforehand

Stresses the prior execution or application of a plan or system.

had assumed in advance

Highlights a prior taking on of responsibility or a role.

had instituted earlier

Focuses on the prior establishment or introduction of something.

had pioneered previously

Emphasizes being the first to use or develop something at an earlier time.

had selected beforehand

Highlights a previous choice or designation.

had chosen prior

A more concise way of saying something was selected at an earlier time.

had established in advance

Highlights the setting up or creation of something beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "had adopted before" in a sentence?

Use "had adopted before" to indicate that an action of adopting occurred at an earlier point in the past relative to another action also in the past. For example, "The company "had adopted before" the new policy took effect" shows the policy adoption happened before the policy's implementation.

What is an alternative to saying "had adopted before"?

Alternatives include "had previously adopted", "had formerly endorsed", or "had taken up earlier", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "adopted before" instead of "had adopted before"?

While "adopted before" can be grammatically correct in some contexts, "had adopted before" specifically emphasizes that the adoption was completed before another past event. The choice depends on whether you need to highlight this sequence. If the sequence is clear with just "adopted before" it will work.

What's the difference between "had adopted before" and "adopted earlier"?

"Had adopted before" is used to show a clear sequence of events in the past. "Adopted earlier" simply indicates that the adoption happened at an earlier time, without necessarily linking it to another specific past event.