had brought a document

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had brought a document" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone completed the action of bringing a document at some point in the past, often in relation to another past event. Example: "By the time the meeting started, she had brought a document that outlined the project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He said that he had some knowledge of what was discussed at the meeting and that the Pakistanis had brought a document with them that outlined their thinking.

The New York Times

Brennan's voice took on McCarthy's heavy cadences, including the ominous pauses: " 'Do you mean to tell me you don't think the most important thing we can possibly do is rout out Communists, wherever they are?' " During the hearings, McCarthy announced gravely to the committee that he had brought a document concerning the nominee.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I had brought a book to read.

The New York Times

Often commissioned by public libraries to document New York neighborhoods, Mr. Goldfarb has brought a historical sensibility to his own backyard.

The New York Times

At the end of a long monologue, the monsignor tells the journalist that he hopes he has brought a car, because he has a trunk full of documents.

The New Yorker

After a United Nations commission completed its inquiry into her death, the government had brought forward a new prosecution document to court, he said.

The New York Times

Figueres had brought along a camera to document the Bribris' lives.

The New Yorker

An unnamed member of the president's staff told Blic that the former secret policeman had met with two of the president's advisers and had brought documents revealing government connections with organized crime.

The New York Times

On the advice of his attorney, Reynolds had brought with him documents — invoices and cancelled checks — that he said would prove that assertion.

The New Yorker

He had brought along an attestation — a legal document, in French — for her to sign.

The New Yorker

Tellingly, the same unfounded claim - that Penn had brought cameramen with him to document his derring-do - had been made in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had brought a document", ensure the context clearly establishes the time frame. This past perfect construction indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For example: "Before the negotiations began, she "had brought a document" outlining the key issues".

Common error

Avoid using "had brought a document" when a simple past tense ("brought a document") would suffice. The past perfect is only necessary when indicating an action completed before another past action. Using the past perfect when unnecessary can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had brought a document" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, specifically using the past perfect tense. It indicates an action (bringing a document) that was completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig AI states that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had brought a document" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate that someone presented a document before a specific point in the past. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Common in news and media contexts, it's important to use the past perfect tense accurately, ensuring the time frame is clearly established. Alternatives like "had presented a document" or "had submitted a document" can provide subtle variations in meaning. The phrase maintains a neutral tone appropriate for diverse writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had presented a document

Replaces "brought" with "presented", suggesting a more formal delivery of the document.

had delivered a document

Substitutes "brought" with "delivered", focusing on the act of conveying the document to a specific location or person.

had submitted a document

Replaces "brought" with "submitted", implying the document was officially handed in.

had provided a document

Replaces "brought" with "provided", highlighting the act of making the document available.

had produced a document

Replaces "brought" with "produced", indicating the document was presented or shown.

had carried a document

Replaces "brought" with "carried", focusing on the physical act of transporting the document.

had come with a document

Emphasizes the act of arriving while possessing the document.

arrived with a document

Slightly alters sentence structure; places more emphasis on the arrival itself.

had a document with them

Changes the structure to emphasize possession of the document at a certain time.

had furnished a document

Uses "furnished" instead of "brought", implying the document was supplied as part of a larger offering.

FAQs

How is "had brought a document" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had brought a document" indicates that someone completed the action of bringing a document before a specific time in the past. For example, "By the time the meeting started, she "had brought a document" that outlined the project details."

What are some alternatives to "had brought a document"?

You can use alternatives such as "had presented a document", "had submitted a document", or "had provided a document", depending on the specific context.

Is "had brought a document" formal or informal?

The phrase "had brought a document" is generally considered neutral in tone. The level of formality also depends on the source in which it is used.

What's the difference between "brought a document" and "had brought a document"?

"Brought a document" uses the simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past. "Had brought a document" uses the past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. The past perfect tense is used to highlight that the action of bringing the document occurred before another event mentioned in the sentence.