had broken through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had broken through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has successfully penetrated or overcome a barrier or obstacle in the past. Example: "After months of hard work, the team had broken through the challenges that had been holding them back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pacino had broken through.

The New Yorker

Agents had broken through his front window.

The New York Times

The bone had broken through the skin.

The New York Times - Sports

It had broken through in one chink.

The Guardian

"Did you guys see Madonna?" Eichner had broken through.

The New Yorker

However, the civil rights movement had broken through 1950s conservatism.

The Guardian

Three of them had broken through the Marine lines.

The New York Times

We thought then that we had broken through on financing.

The Guardian

Of her romance with Semple, Epstein says, "At last she had broken through to him".

The New Yorker

Women had broken through so many doors it seemed there weren't many unopened ones left.

The New York Times

By Friday night, I felt like I had broken through a barrier".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had broken through" to describe situations where a barrier, whether physical or metaphorical, has been successfully overcome. For instance, "The company had broken through the initial challenges and achieved significant growth."

Common error

Avoid using "had broken through" when referring to a present or future action. This phrase is in the past perfect tense, so ensure the context reflects a completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had broken through" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action of breaking through (overcoming an obstacle or barrier) was completed before a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had broken through" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the successful overcoming of obstacles in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, with a particularly high frequency in news and media sources. When writing, be mindful of using it in the past perfect tense to accurately convey the sequence of past events. Alternatives like "had overcome" or "had penetrated" may be used to fine-tune the meaning. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "had broken through" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had made a breakthrough

Specifically refers to a significant achievement or discovery.

had overcome

Emphasizes the act of conquering a challenge or difficulty.

had pushed through

Highlights effort and persistence in overcoming obstacles.

had penetrated

Focuses on physical entry or overcoming a barrier.

had burst through

Implies a sudden and forceful breakthrough.

had surpassed

Highlights exceeding a limit or boundary.

had forged ahead

Emphasizes progress and determination in overcoming obstacles.

had advanced beyond

Implies moving forward past a certain point or obstacle.

had shattered

Emphasizes forceful breaking or overcoming.

had transcended

Suggests rising above limitations or boundaries.

FAQs

How can I use "had broken through" in a sentence?

You can use "had broken through" to describe the successful overcoming of an obstacle or barrier in the past. For example, "The team "had broken through" the technical difficulties and completed the project on time."

What are some alternatives to "had broken through"?

Alternatives include "had overcome", "had penetrated", or "had made a breakthrough", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has broken through" instead of "had broken through"?

No, "has broken through" is present perfect, whereas "had broken through" is past perfect. Use "has broken through" for actions that started in the past and continue to the present or have a present result. "Had broken through" is for actions completed before another point in the past.

What is the difference between "had broken through" and "broke through"?

"Had broken through" indicates an action completed before another point in the past, while "broke through" (simple past) describes a completed action in the past without reference to another past action. For instance, "They "broke through" the enemy lines" vs. "They "had broken through" the enemy lines before reinforcements arrived."