had cleared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had cleared" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that something was completed before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the storm arrived, the skies had cleared, allowing us to enjoy the sunset."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The sky had cleared.

The New Yorker

The weather had cleared during the morning.

The New Yorker

Back at Ghost's, Limpie had cleared out.

The New Yorker

Announced RHP John Wasdin had cleared waivers.

The New York Times

The clouds had cleared, revealing the stars.

The New Yorker

That day, he had cleared 15 explosive devices successfully.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The bandwagon has cleared.

The New York Times - Sports

Those have cleared up.

The New York Times

"Now we've cleared one big hurdle".

The New York Times

No other county has cleared so many.

The Economist

The clouds always seemed to have cleared.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had cleared" to clearly indicate that an action of clearing something was completed before a specific point in the past. For example, "By the time the guests arrived, the table had cleared." This helps maintain a clear sequence of events.

Common error

Avoid using "had cleared" when the action is not completed before another past action. Using the simple past tense ("cleared") might be more appropriate if there's no need to emphasize the completion of the clearing action relative to another event.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "had cleared" is to form the past perfect tense of the verb "clear". This tense indicates that an action was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig examples show it used in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

20%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had cleared" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI points out, it is used to indicate an action completed before another in the past, primarily found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While its formality is neutral, correct tense usage is key to avoiding errors. Alternatives like "had been resolved" or "had dissipated" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. In essence, mastering the use of "had cleared" will allow you to clearly convey the intended meaning of the sentence and allow readers to comprehend the relationship between past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been resolved

Indicates a problem or obstacle was successfully dealt with.

had been removed

Focuses on the physical removal of something.

had been resolved

Suggests something was made clear or a solution was found.

had been eliminated

Implies a more thorough removal or eradication.

had dissipated

Describes something vanishing or fading away.

had vanished

Emphasizes the sudden disappearance of something.

had subsided

Suggests a decrease in intensity or activity.

had been vacated

Implies people or things leaving a space or position.

had been emptied

Focuses on the action of making something empty.

had been finalized

Suggests the completion of a process or arrangement.

FAQs

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

Use "had cleared" to show that something was cleared before another action took place in the past. For example: "After the rain "had stopped", the sky "had cleared", revealing the stars."

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

"Had cleared" is in the past perfect tense, used to describe an action completed before another action in the past. "Cleared" is in the simple past tense, describing a completed action in the past without reference to another past action. "By the time I arrived, they "had cleared" the table" versus "They "cleared" the table after dinner".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "had cleared"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had been resolved", "had been removed", or "had dissipated".

Is "had cleared" formal or informal?

The phrase "had cleared" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as long as the past perfect tense is grammatically appropriate.