had divulged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had divulged" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone revealed or disclosed information in the past, often before another past event. Example: "By the time the investigation began, she had divulged all the necessary details to the authorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But the firm did not fire him, or conclude that he had divulged inside information.

The New York Times

The closet discussion had led to a much larger conversation, during which the mother had divulged her feelings of loss.

The New Yorker

Although he had divulged jihadi secrets in his police interrogations, Jejoen believed that he could return to Syria unscathed.

The New Yorker

At the dinner party, Wilson suddenly became anxious that he had divulged too much about the video idea.

The Guardian - Music

Who is Lou?" Often as not, the mark will forget that he had divulged this information before the show, and will play right into the medium's hands.

The New York Times

Likewise, the government has bargained with convicted spies in order to learn just what secrets they had divulged and for information about enemy operatives and tradecraft.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This case has divulged personal secrets.

The New York Times

He has divulged few details, and his overall strategy is unclear.

The New York Times

What it has divulged is more important than how we got here.

Independent

He has divulged his predilection for oral sex in crude terms on television.

The Guardian

Maybe if Mandy had tipped the attendant more, she would have divulged the ailment that would soon slaughter her father.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had divulged" when you want to emphasize the act of revealing information that was previously private or secret. This phrase often carries a connotation of importance or sensitivity.

Common error

Avoid using "had divulged" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "had revealed" or "had told" may be more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had divulged" functions as the past perfect tense of the verb 'divulge'. It indicates that an action of revealing information occurred before another point in time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had divulged" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that information was revealed in the past before another event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's most frequently encountered in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While effective for emphasizing the sequence of events and revealing private information, consider context and audience to gauge its appropriateness. Alternatives like "had revealed" or "had disclosed" may suit some situations better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had revealed

A more general term for making something known; slightly less formal.

had disclosed

Similar to 'divulged', but often used in formal or legal contexts.

had leaked

Suggests unauthorized or accidental revelation of information.

had unveiled

Suggests a more dramatic or intentional revelation.

had made known

A more formal way of saying 'had revealed'.

had imparted

Implies sharing knowledge or wisdom.

had communicated

A broader term, indicating any form of information transfer.

had admitted

Similar to 'confessed', but can be used in less serious contexts.

had confessed

Implies admitting something, often something negative.

had disclosed confidentially

Emphasizes the private nature of the revealed information.

FAQs

How to use "had divulged" in a sentence?

The phrase "had divulged" indicates that someone revealed information in the past, often before another past event. For example: "Before the trial began, the witness had divulged key evidence to the prosecutor."

What can I say instead of "had divulged"?

You can use alternatives like "had revealed", "had disclosed", or "had unveiled" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had divulged" or "divulged"?

"Had divulged" is the past perfect tense, used to indicate an action completed before another point in the past. "Divulged" is the simple past tense. Use "had divulged" when the action of divulging occurred before another action you are describing.

What's the difference between "had divulged" and "had shared"?

"Had divulged" implies revealing something private or secret, while "had shared" is a more general term for giving information to others. Choose "had divulged" when the information was not widely known or was intended to be kept confidential.