had dominated before

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had dominated before" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was in a position of power or influence prior to a certain point in time. Example: "The company had dominated before the market crash, but it struggled to regain its position afterward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But Mr. Mawston said the additions, while encouraging, were only a small step along the way to restoring Nokia's lost market position in smartphones, an industry segment that it had dominated before Apple introduced the first iPhone in 2007.

The New York Times - Tech

It took a gutsy defensive effort for much of the second half for England to survive after they had dominated before the break, but they put their bodies on the line to set up the first all northern hemisphere final in the six-year history of the tournament.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Government policy suddenly became stimulative, as the Federal Reserve reduced interest rates repeatedly and as Congress and the White House began to spend money without worrying about issues like Social Security "lockboxes" that had dominated debate before the attacks.

The New York Times

Its particular World Cup plague ― the so-called "curse of the fifth game" ― had dominated coverage before the tournament, in promotional ads and news stories alike.

HuffPost

Europeans finally discarded the many destructive isms which before had dominated politics, most notably communism, fascism, militarism, and nationalism.

HuffPost

Darmstadt had dominated so much before the break that their subsequent caving-in was hard to explain.

The Guardian - Sport

And in devising and implementing these reforms, the Democratic Party came to represent Americans with little power relative to the financial and business elites that had dominated the country before the great crash of 1929.

The New York Times

Instead, he quickly sought to return to the message of small government and help for manufacturing that had dominated his campaign before he began talking about social issues in the past week.

The New York Times

Russia had dominated the game before Karagounis pounced on a Sergei Ignashevich error to drill in a shot.

BBC

Meanwhile Germany, which had dominated this tournament before Tuesday, heads off to the consolation game.

Los Angeles Times

The escapist fare of the late 1970s, however, was not the same as that which had dominated in the days before All in the Family.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had dominated before" to clearly establish a temporal sequence, emphasizing that a state of dominance existed prior to a specific event or change. This is particularly useful in historical or comparative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "dominated before" without the auxiliary verb "had". This can lead to confusion about the timing of the dominance and the subsequent event. The past perfect tense clarifies that the dominance occurred prior to another point in time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had dominated before" functions as a temporal marker, indicating that a subject exerted significant control or influence prior to a specified event or time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, as shown in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had dominated before" effectively indicates a state of prior dominance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and well-suited for establishing temporal relationships. While not exceptionally common, it's found in neutral contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. To use it effectively, ensure the inclusion of "had" to maintain proper tense and clarity. Consider alternatives like "previously held sway" or "formerly reigned supreme" for nuanced expression. Avoiding the usage of "dominated before" is important to prevent confusion about the timing of the dominance and the subsequent event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier held dominance

A more direct synonym emphasizing the state of being dominant.

once held a commanding position

Focuses on the powerful and influential state that existed earlier.

earlier exerted control

Highlights the act of exercising authority in the past.

previously held sway

Emphasizes the influence or control exerted in the past.

held the upper hand previously

Indicates a prior advantage or control over others.

had prevailed previously

Focuses on having been victorious or successful before a certain time.

formerly reigned supreme

Highlights the ultimate authority or superiority in an earlier period.

once been in control

Highlights a state of having managed or directed something in the past.

previously led the pack

Emphasizes being ahead or in the forefront at an earlier time.

used to be dominant

A simpler, more conversational way to express past dominance.

FAQs

How can I use "had dominated before" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to indicate that something was in a position of power or influence prior to a certain point in time. For instance, "The company "had dominated before" the market crash, but it struggled to regain its position afterward."

What are some alternatives to "had dominated before"?

You can use alternatives like "previously held sway", "formerly reigned supreme", or "once held a commanding position" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "dominated before" instead of "had dominated before"?

While "dominated before" might be understood in some contexts, using ""had dominated before"" is grammatically more precise as it uses the past perfect tense to clearly establish that the dominance occurred prior to another event.

What's the difference between "had dominated before" and "dominated"?

"Dominated" simply indicates a state of dominance at some point in the past. "Had dominated before" specifies that the dominance occurred prior to another event or change, providing a clearer temporal relationship.