had already discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

'had already discussed' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used when referring to a conversation or topic that happened in the past, before the current moment of time. For example: "We had already discussed the idea of going on vacation together before the pandemic hit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What Salmond did not know was that the Tories had already discussed staging their own referendum.

The Guardian

She could not say, because they had already discussed this issue, "This doesn't work.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gilbert had already discussed the outlines of his first season in October.

The New York Times

She had already discussed the material that she told us in confidence".

The New York Times

Education officials said Mr. Levy's staff had already discussed the idea with several developers.

The New York Times

Mr. Duncan said he had already discussed his plans with the presidents of the two national teachers unions.

The New York Times

Lollo and Patrik, who was warming to the idea of parenthood, had already discussed and rejected adoption.

The Guardian

Officer Edmund Farrell, a spokesman, said union officials had already discussed some of the reports' suggestions with Mr. Gulotta.

The New York Times

The candidates did not offer any new ideas but reiterated education plans that they had already discussed repeatedly.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The more experienced collector again went "R&R" with the debtor before offering the same instalment plan I had already discussed.

Vice

Mr. Menaker said he had already discussed with Ms. Centrello the possibility of publishing two books with Random House, including a memoir and another unidentified project.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had already discussed" to emphasize that a topic is not new or that a decision has been previously made, setting the stage for further action or resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "had already discussed" when the subsequent action is not in the past. For example, instead of "We had already discussed it, so we will proceed", use "We have already discussed it, so we will proceed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had already discussed" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action of discussing took place and was completed before another point in time in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase accurately conveys that a prior discussion occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had already discussed" is a past perfect verb phrase used to indicate that a discussion occurred and was completed before another point in time in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news, science, and business contexts. It functions to convey prior knowledge or consideration of a topic and is generally neutral to professional in register. When using this phrase, clarity regarding who participated in the discussion and the topic covered is crucial. Alternative phrases, such as "had previously considered" or "had talked about before", can be used to adjust the formality or emphasis of the statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had previously considered

Focuses more on contemplation than active discussion.

had addressed earlier

More formal, implying a structured handling of the topic.

had talked about before

More informal and emphasizes the act of talking.

had consulted about

Highlights seeking advice or expertise.

had conferred about

Implies a formal consultation or meeting.

had considered in advance

Emphasizes the forethought and planning aspect.

had touched on before

Suggests a brief or superficial discussion.

had worked through earlier

Suggests a problem-solving or thorough approach.

had thrashed out previously

Implies an intense or exhaustive discussion.

had finalized beforehand

Focuses on reaching a decision or agreement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "had already discussed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "had previously considered" or "had addressed earlier", depending on the context.

What's a more casual way to say "had already discussed"?

Informal alternatives include "had talked about before" or "had touched on before", which are suitable for everyday conversations.

Is it correct to say "have already discussed" instead of "had already discussed"?

The choice depends on the context's timeline. "Have already discussed" implies the discussion is relevant to the present, while "had already discussed" refers to a discussion completed before a specific point in the past. For example: "We have already discussed the budget" (present relevance) versus "We had already discussed the budget before the meeting" (past event).

When should I use "had already discussed" versus "already discussed"?

"Had already discussed" is used to indicate a past perfect action, completed before another past action or time. "Already discussed" implies that the discussion happened at some point in the past without emphasizing its completion relative to another past event. For example, "We had already discussed it before he arrived" versus "We already discussed it yesterday".