had already sent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had already sent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action of sending something was completed before another point in time or another action occurred. Example: "By the time she called, I had already sent the email to the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She had already sent him a card.

The New York Times

David Astor had already sent £100.

The Guardian - Books

The Soviets had already sent two women into space.

The New York Times - Science

The Mexican government had already sent in the Army.

The New Yorker

Braunstein said he had already sent the reports.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nonetheless, by the start of 1994 Galileo had already sent back a number of spectacular observations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That criticism did not come until after the administration had already sent the men back.

The New York Times

Eager American officials had already sent a plane to Bangkok's military airport to collect Mr Bout.

The Economist

Similarly subservient, Britain had already sent David Cameron and Prince Charles.

The Guardian

They had already sent a $300,000 check to the Red Cross.

The New York Times

Neville had already sent on Pablo Piatti and Paco Alcácer; next he sent on Zakaria Bakkali.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had already sent" to clearly indicate that an action of sending was completed before another action or a specific point in time. This helps establish a clear sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense ("already sent") when you need to emphasize that the sending action occurred before another event. Using the past perfect tense ("had already sent") clarifies the sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had already sent" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating an action completed before another point in time in the past. As shown in Ludwig, it clarifies the sequence of events by establishing that the sending occurred prior to a subsequent action or time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had already sent" is a grammatically correct and very common past perfect construction used to indicate that the action of sending something was completed before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage in contexts such as News & Media. When a more formal tone is required, consider alternatives like "had previously dispatched". Remember to use the past perfect tense to emphasize the sequence of events and avoid using simple past tense when clarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had previously dispatched

Replaces "sent" with "dispatched", implying a more formal or official sending.

had dispatched earlier

Emphasizes the timing of the dispatch, similar to "already sent".

had earlier forwarded

Uses "forwarded" to specify the type of sending, often for documents or information.

had previously shipped

Replaces "sent" with "shipped", implying physical transportation of goods.

had transmitted before

Emphasizes the action of transmission occurred prior to a specific time.

had completed the sending

Focuses on the completion of the action of sending.

had delivered prior

Specifies the delivery aspect of sending, highlighting that it happened earlier.

had transferred previously

Uses "transferred" to indicate the movement of something to another place or person.

had communicated earlier

Focuses on the communication aspect of sending information.

had effected delivery

A formal way to say that the delivery had been carried out.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "had previously dispatched" or "had effected delivery". These options add a layer of professionalism and formality to your writing.

Is there a difference between "had already sent" and "already sent"?

Yes, "had already sent" uses the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Already sent" in the simple past tense doesn't provide that explicit sequence, implying the action occurred at some point in the past without direct relation to another event.

What are some common synonyms for "had already sent"?

Common synonyms include "had previously sent", "had earlier sent", or "had transmitted before". The choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "had already sent"?

Use "had already sent" when you want to emphasize that the action of sending something was completed before another event or a specific time in the past. This clarifies the timeline and sequence of events.