had cooled down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had cooled down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has decreased in temperature or intensity over time. Example: "After the heated discussion, the atmosphere in the room had cooled down significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It had cooled down a little.

The New Yorker

Recently, I thought I had cooled down enough to try playing with others again.

The New York Times - Magazine

On Tuesday night once I'd finished practising and had cooled down, my back was extremely sore.

The Guardian - Sport

Two days later, the group that had cooled down was every bit as sore as the control group.

The New York Times

On the theory that their hearts had cooled down in the absence of the mother's warmth, Hofer tried giving them a heat source of the same intensity.

The New York Times - Science

But that would suggest that, when things had cooled down a bit, these particles would eventually have annihilated one another leaving nothing but energy behind.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Whisk vigorously until it has cooled down.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She will probably have cooled down by then.

The New York Times

Some soldiers confess relief that the fighting has cooled down.

The New York Times

It tastes nice when it has cooled down, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Over the past four months, it will have cooled down substantially, making exposure less likely.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had cooled down" to describe a situation, ensure the subject has experienced a noticeable reduction in temperature or intensity. This ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "had cooled down" solely for emotional states if a physical reduction in temperature is not implied, as it can create ambiguity. Use more precise terms like "calmed down" or "settled" for emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had cooled down" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (cooling) that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig confirms its usability, showing many contexts where it describes a decrease in temperature, intensity, or emotional state.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had cooled down" is a common past perfect verb phrase used to describe a prior reduction in temperature, intensity, or emotional state. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical status is correct, with frequent usage in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "had cooled down", ensure the context clearly indicates a decrease and consider alternative phrases like "had calmed down" or ""had subsided"" for greater precision in emotional or abstract contexts. Avoid ambiguity by choosing precise language to describe the cooling process, whether physical or emotional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had become colder

Focuses specifically on the decrease in temperature, emphasizing the physical change.

had calmed down

Shifts the meaning to a reduction in emotional intensity, such as anger or excitement.

had become less intense

Directly expresses a decrease in the strength or force of something.

had abated

Suggests a decrease in intensity or severity, often used for abstract concepts like storms or arguments.

had subsided

Similar to 'abated', indicating a lessening of activity or intensity.

had lost its heat

Specifically refers to a loss of thermal energy or passion.

had lessened

A general term for a reduction in any quality or state.

had tempered

Implies a moderation or softening of something, often related to emotions or reactions.

had moderated

Similar to 'tempered', suggesting a reduction to a more reasonable or balanced level.

had quieted down

Suggests a reduction in noise or activity, often used for situations or people.

FAQs

How can I use "had cooled down" in a sentence?

Use "had cooled down" to describe a decrease in temperature or intensity. For example, "The engine "had cooled down" after the long drive" or "The argument "had cooled down" after everyone took a break".

What's a more formal way to say "had cooled down"?

In more formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "had subsided" or "had diminished" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "the market "had cooled down"", you might say "the market's growth "had subsided"".

Is it correct to use "had cooled down" for emotional states?

Yes, it is acceptable to use "had cooled down" for emotional states, but ensure the context is clear. Alternatives like "had calmed down" or "had settled" may be more precise and avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "had cooled down" and "has cooled down"?

"Had cooled down" refers to a past action completed before another point in the past (past perfect tense), while "has cooled down" refers to an action completed before the present moment (present perfect tense). For example, "By the time I arrived, the soup "had cooled down"" versus "The soup "has cooled down" and is ready to eat".