had bolted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had bolted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that has been completed in the past, often indicating that someone or something has run away quickly or secured something tightly. Example: "After hearing the loud noise, the horse had bolted from the stable, leaving the gate wide open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Usage

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They had bolted.

The New York Times

Calipari had bolted for New Jersey and the Nets.

The New York Times - Sports

When she came up, she had bolted the door as usual, on the kitchen side.

The New Yorker

All he could do was to shut the stable door after the horse had bolted.

The Guardian

People felt we were shutting the stable door after the horse had bolted.

The Guardian

Andrea Raggi, though, had bolted back to cover and he cleared.

The Guardian - Sport

First, a banana had bolted from the produce department and was hiding among the pastries.

The New York Times - Food

West Coast got some late consolation goals but the horse had bolted.

The Guardian - Sport

But Wes had bolted the garage door at ten, and Lady Macbeth would howl Armageddon if she heard it unbolt.

The New Yorker

It would have been worse if Texas and some of its league mates had bolted to the Pacific-10.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You'd have thought that particular horse would have bolted by now, but there you go.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had bolted" to vividly describe a sudden and rapid departure. This phrase adds a sense of urgency or surprise to your writing, making the action more impactful. For example, "The crowd had bolted as soon as the fireworks began."

Common error

Avoid using "had bolted" in situations where a more formal or neutral term would be more suitable. For example, instead of saying "The manager had bolted from the meeting", consider "The manager had left the meeting" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had bolted" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its usage in diverse contexts, ranging from physical departures to securing objects. This grammatical form helps establish a clear sequence of events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had bolted" is a versatile past perfect verb phrase used to describe completed actions of quick departure or secure fastening. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Sports. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, its formality can vary depending on the situation. When writing, using "had bolted" adds a sense of suddenness or completion to your sentences, effectively conveying actions completed before another point in time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had fled

Implies a hurried escape from a dangerous or undesirable situation, similar to "had bolted" in the context of running away.

had escaped

Suggests breaking free from confinement or a difficult situation, akin to "had bolted" when referring to escaping.

had dashed

Emphasizes the speed and suddenness of departure, much like "had bolted" when describing a quick run.

had absconded

Indicates a secret and hurried departure, typically to avoid detection or legal consequences, similar to a more secretive form of "had bolted".

had cleared out

Suggests a complete and often hurried emptying of a place, comparable to a group that "had bolted" from a location.

had secured

In contexts where "had bolted" means to fasten, this phrase provides a direct synonym.

had locked

Similar to "had secured", but specifically refers to using a lock to fasten something.

had fastened

A general term for attaching or securing something, less specific than "had bolted" but applicable in some contexts.

had deserted

Implies leaving something or someone behind, similar to "had bolted" when referring to abandonment.

had abandoned

Strongly suggests leaving something without intending to return, akin to "had bolted" when signifying leaving behind.

FAQs

How can I use "had bolted" in a sentence?

The phrase "had bolted" is used to describe a completed action of quickly running away or securing something. For example: "The horse "had bolted" from the stable" or "She "had bolted" the door before leaving".

What can I say instead of "had bolted"?

You can use alternatives like "had fled", "had escaped", or "had dashed" to describe someone running away. For securing something, use "had secured" or "had locked".

Which is correct, "had bolted" or "bolted"?

"Had bolted" is the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Bolted" (past simple) describes a simple past action. Use "had bolted" to show sequence: "After she "had bolted" the door, she went to bed".

What's the difference between "had bolted" and "had fled"?

While both imply a quick departure, ""had bolted"" often suggests a more sudden or impulsive action, whereas "had fled" usually implies escaping from a dangerous situation. "The crowd "had bolted" at the first sign of trouble" versus "They had fled the war-torn country".