had curbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had curbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was restrained or limited in the past, often in relation to behavior or actions. Example: "The new regulations had curbed the excessive spending habits of the department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"He had curbed the drinking," Steen said.

The Guardian

Until Tuesday, the court had curbed discussion of the case.

The New York Times

This came after the state had curbed funding for Planned Parenthood clinics.

The New York Times

But others in the campaign admitted that Bill Bradley's dashed dreams had curbed their aspirations as well.

The New York Times

The addendum had curbed presidential power and kept much of it in the hands of the military council.

The Guardian

In the methadone group, 54 percent were still in the study and 48percentt had curbed illicit activities.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

He has curbed costs.

The Economist

That has curbed apartment construction.

The New York Times

Beijing has curbed its dollar hoarding.

The New York Times

This has curbed poaching, but has not ended it.

The Economist

Recession has curbed demand for its minerals and forest products.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had curbed" when you want to emphasize a past action that successfully restricted or limited something. For example, "The strict regulations had curbed the company's spending."

Common error

Avoid using "had curbed" when the action of curbing is ongoing or incomplete. "Had curbed" indicates a finished action in the past; use "is curbing" or "has been curbing" for continuous or recently started actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had curbed" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action of limiting or restraining something was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig provides examples of this usage in various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had curbed" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase that denotes a past action of limiting or restraining something. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. To ensure accurate application, remember that "had curbed" should only be used when referring to a completed action in the past. Alternative phrases like "had limited" or "had restrained" can offer semantic variety, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had limited

Focuses on setting a specific upper boundary or restriction.

had restrained

Emphasizes holding back or controlling an impulse or action.

had reduced

Indicates a decrease in amount, size, or intensity.

had diminished

Suggests a gradual decrease or fading away.

had lessened

Implies a weakening or reduction in strength or impact.

had mitigated

Highlights efforts to alleviate or reduce the severity of something negative.

had checked

Emphasizes stopping or controlling something, often to prevent further progress.

had suppressed

Suggests forcibly stopping something from developing or being expressed.

had controlled

Focuses on maintaining command or regulation over something.

had dampened

Implies reducing the intensity or enthusiasm of something.

FAQs

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

Use "had curbed" to describe a past action that limited or restrained something. For example, "The new policy "had curbed" excessive spending."

What are some alternatives to "had curbed"?

You can use alternatives like "had limited", "had restrained", or "had reduced" depending on the context. For example, "The measures "had limited" the spread of the disease."

Is it correct to say "has curbed" instead of "had curbed"?

The choice between "has curbed" and "had curbed" depends on the time frame you're referring to. "Has curbed" implies a recent or ongoing effect, while "had curbed" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "The government "has curbed" inflation" (recent), vs. "The government "had curbed" inflation before the crisis" (past)."

What's the difference between "had curbed" and "had restricted"?

While both phrases imply limitation, "had curbed" often suggests a reduction in excess, while "had restricted" implies setting a specific boundary or limit. For example, "The law "had curbed" abuses" vs. "The law "had restricted" access to the area".