had come down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had come down" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has descended or decreased in some way, often in a past context. Example: "The price of the product had come down significantly after the sale."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Wall had come down.

The New Yorker

All four stories had come down.

The New York Times - Magazine

It had come down to goals.

The New Yorker

The north tower had come down.

The New York Times

Some had come down with uncommon infections.

The New York Times - Science

The towers had come down the day before.

The New Yorker

Her oldest child, 10, had come down with chicken pox.

The New York Times

By Day 3, I had come down with a cold.

The New York Times

Our horizons had expanded and internal barriers had come down.

The Guardian - Travel

Dodi's life had come down to a single phone call.

The Guardian

Some of the American flags had come down.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had come down", ensure the context clearly indicates what is descending, decreasing, or resolving to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had come down" when a simpler verb like "decreased" or "fallen" would be more direct and precise. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had come down" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It typically describes an action of descending, decreasing, or resolving that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig shows examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had come down" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe something that has decreased, descended, or been resolved by a certain point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While it can be replaced with more specific verbs like "decreased" or "fallen" for clarity, "had come down" remains a common and acceptable choice. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the intended meaning is clear and avoid overuse to maintain conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had decreased

Focuses specifically on the reduction aspect.

had been reduced

Highlights the action of reducing something.

had diminished

Emphasizes a gradual reduction or fading.

had lessened

Highlights a reduction in intensity or severity.

had fallen

Implies a downward movement or drop.

had lowered

Similar to 'had fallen', but with a sense of control or action causing the descent.

had subsided

Suggests a decrease in intensity or activity, often after a peak.

had descended

Implies a physical downward movement or a decline in status.

had resolved

Focuses on the settlement or conclusion of a situation.

had bottomed out

Indicates reaching the lowest point after a decline.

FAQs

What does "had come down" mean?

The phrase "had come down" indicates that something has decreased, descended, or resolved in the past. It's used to describe a reduction in value, intensity, or physical position.

What are some alternatives to "had come down"?

Alternatives include "had decreased", "had fallen", or "had subsided" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the prices had come down"?

Yes, "the prices had come down" is a grammatically correct sentence indicating that the prices decreased in the past. You could also say "the prices "had decreased"".

How does "had come down" differ from "came down"?

"Had come down" indicates a past perfect tense, meaning the action was completed before another point in the past. "Came down" is simple past tense, indicating an action completed in the past.