had annulled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had annulled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action of annulling occurred before another past action or time. Example: "By the time the court reviewed the case, they had annulled the previous marriage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The military had annulled the election and locked up Chief Abiola, the man widely accepted as the winner.

The Guardian - Music

The electoral chamber of the country's Supreme Court struck down a decision by the electoral authority which had annulled 800,000 signatures on a referendum petition.

The Economist

The supreme court had annulled the results of a 7 September election, finding that the voters' registry had made-up names and those of dead people.

The Guardian

A second laid the groundwork for the reallocation by open auction of coal-mining licences that the Supreme Court had annulled in September following rampant graft in the licensing.

The Economist

Earlier, the supreme court had annulled most of the results in the November 2nd parliamentary elections, paving the way for fresh polls in the legislature, possibly on the same date as the presidential vote.

The Economist

After Napoleon had annulled his marriage to the empress Joséphine, Talleyrand played a part in arranging the Emperor's marriage with Marie-Louise of Austria, in the hope that this union would modify Napoleon's ambition.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Douglas Frantz (NYT) ROMANIA: DEATH SENTENCE ANNULLED -- The Supreme Court has annulled a death sentence against Mircea Raceanu, a former diplomat, acquitting him of charges that he passed state secrets to the United States in the Communist era.

The New York Times

The blame, he says, lies with a judge who has annulled his proposed electoral calendar.

The Economist

In the past, the tribunal has annulled state and local elections.

The Economist

It would have annulled the Fess-ness that made him Davy Crockett to so many children.

The New York Times

But it seems they have annulled everything that happened on the 24th.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "invalidated", "repealed", or "rescinded" for variety and to precisely convey the specific nuance of the annulment in question.

Common error

Avoid using "had annulled" when simple past tense ("annulled") is sufficient. "Had annulled" is specifically for past perfect scenarios where the annulling action precedes another past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had annulled" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action of annulling took place before another action or point in the past. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is usable and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had annulled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in the past perfect tense, indicating an action of annulling that occurred before another event in the past. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in encyclopedias, reflecting its use in objective reporting and formal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure correct tense sequencing, and consider synonyms such as "had invalidated" or "had rescinded" to precisely convey the meaning. Remember that this form is best suited for instances where the annulment occurred before another past event, distinguishing it from the simple past tense "annulled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had invalidated

Focuses on rendering something without legal or factual basis.

had voided

Highlights the act of making something completely ineffective or invalid.

had nullified

Emphasizes making something legally void or ineffective.

had repealed

Specifically refers to the revocation or annulment of a law or regulation.

had rescinded

Implies the cancellation or revocation of an order, agreement, or privilege.

had overturned

Suggests reversing a previous judgment or decision, often in a legal context.

had revoked

Focuses on the official cancellation of a decree, license, or privilege.

had canceled

A more general term for stopping something that was previously planned or valid.

had reversed

Indicates a change to an opposite direction or position, implying a previous decision was wrong.

had withdrawn

Suggests taking back something that was previously offered or in place.

FAQs

How is "had annulled" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had annulled" is used to indicate that an action of annulling occurred before another point in the past. For example, "By the time the appeal was heard, the lower court "had annulled" the previous ruling."

What are some alternatives to "had annulled"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "had invalidated", "had repealed", or "had rescinded".

What's the difference between "had annulled" and "annulled"?

"Had annulled" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another action in the past. "Annulled" is in the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past. For example, "They "had annulled" the contract before the lawsuit was filed," versus "They annulled the contract last week."

When is it appropriate to use "had annulled" versus "canceled"?

"Had annulled" is more formal and specific, typically used for legal or official actions, while "canceled" is more general. One might say the court "had annulled" the election results, but a company "had canceled" the meeting.