had dated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had dated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a past relationship that occurred before another past event or time. Example: "Before she met Mark, she had dated several other people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Some she had dated simultaneously.

The New Yorker

She told me we had dated before".

The New York Times

I had dated this guy for only a month.

The New York Times

"I had dated nothing but preppy girls," he said.

The New York Times

She had dated many of the club members.

The New York Times

Obviously it had dated, but in noteworthy ways.

The Guardian

Ms. Redmond and Mr. Shorter had dated for three years.

The New York Times

It seemed I had dated the same guy 28 times".

The New York Times

Ms. Fritz, also 45, said she had dated many men.

The New York Times - Style

Szafranski resumed his relationship with a woman he had dated before Dunston.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Cory and Amanda, we learned, had dated until three weeks ago.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's history, especially in biographical or narrative contexts, "had dated" is useful for showing prior relationships before the current one.

Common error

Avoid using "dated" when you need to emphasize that the dating occurred before another past event. "Dated" can be ambiguous, while "had dated" is clearer about the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had dated" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It describes a completed action (dating) that occurred before another point in the past. As Ludwig indicates, it’s used to establish a sequence of events, providing context for a past relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had dated" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed past perfect verb phrase used to depict a dating relationship that concluded before a specific moment in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's crucial for establishing a clear timeline of events, particularly in biographical or narrative contexts. While versatile across various registers, it's most prevalent in news and media. Remember to use "had dated" to clarify past relationships before another past event, and avoid using "dated" if that distinction is important for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dated in the past

Emphasizes the past nature of the dating relationship more explicitly.

used to date

Indicates a habitual past action of dating someone.

were previously dating

Formal alternative, emphasizing the previous nature of the relationship.

were once an item

Informal and idiomatic way to express a past relationship.

were romantically involved

Focuses on the romantic aspect of the past relationship.

had a relationship with

A more general term that encompasses different types of relationships, including dating.

were linked romantically

Suggests a public or known association of a romantic nature.

courted in the past

A more formal or old-fashioned way to say someone dated.

were formerly seeing each other

Emphasizes the act of seeing each other regularly in a dating context.

shared a romance

Highlights the romantic aspect and shared experience of the relationship.

FAQs

How do I use "had dated" in a sentence?

Use "had dated" to describe a relationship that occurred before a specific point in the past. For example, "Before she married John, she "had dated" his brother."

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

"Dated" implies a simple past action, while "had dated" specifies that the dating occurred before another event in the past. For example, "She dated him last year" vs. "Before she met you, she "had dated" someone else."

What are some alternatives to "had dated"?

You can use phrases like "used to date", "were previously dating", or "had a relationship with" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "had dated with"?

No, the correct phrasing is "had dated". The preposition "with" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.