had even discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had even discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a discussion took place at some point in the past, often emphasizing the unexpectedness or significance of that discussion. Example: "They had even discussed the possibility of collaboration before the project was canceled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They planned to attend the same college, he said, and had even discussed marriage and the adoption of children.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pearson itself had initially considered only an alliance with National Computer and had even discussed that possibility with the company.

The New York Times

Her mother had worried about George walking down the dirt road to their apartment complex (what if it rained?), and they had even discussed hiring a rickshaw.

The New Yorker

Before he had even discussed an opera with Gershwin, Heyward was predicting the very different shape "Porgy" would take once it was set to music.

The New York Times - Arts

She told me that she and her husband had long assumed that Tyler's brother James was gay, and had even discussed the matter with Tyler, asking him, "Why won't he just talk about it?" (James is now out).

The New York Times

It was unclear Wednesday whether Fed policy makers had even discussed a change in the wording of their guidance on interest rates, which would be a first step toward raising them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

He has even discussed the possibility of working with winsome country star Taylor Swift.

Independent

"We've even discussed getting students to stand outside cinemas and hand out flyers".

The Guardian

Worse, the 17 euro nations might stitch up deals among themselves before the 27 E.U. members have even discussed issues that affect all members.

The New York Times

Some commission officials have even discussed the possibility of a second round of extensions that would allow reactors to operate for up to 80 years.

The New York Times - Science

American officials have even discussed with European allies the prospect of airstrikes to take out Syrian air defenses, airplanes and missile delivery systems, if government use of chemical weapons is confirmed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "had even discussed", ensure the sentence structure clearly indicates who was involved in the discussion and what the subject of the discussion was for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "had even discussed" if the topic was merely mentioned in passing without any real exploration or consideration. Use a phrase like "had briefly mentioned" instead to accurately reflect the level of engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had even discussed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action, specifically a discussion that occurred. It emphasizes that the discussion took place, often highlighting that it might have been unexpected or noteworthy. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had even discussed" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that a topic was considered in a past conversation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and sees frequent use in various contexts, especially news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the scope of discussion aligns with the level of engagement, and the sentence structure clearly identifies who and what was discussed. The multiple real-world examples given by Ludwig provide clear examples of using this phrase in context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had also considered

Focuses on consideration rather than a full discussion, implying a less formal or in-depth engagement with the topic.

had previously contemplated

Emphasizes the act of thinking deeply about something beforehand, adding a layer of reflection.

had already touched upon

Suggests a brief or initial discussion, implying that the topic was only lightly addressed.

had entertained the idea of

Implies that the discussion was more exploratory and less concrete, focusing on the consideration of a concept.

had mooted the possibility of

Suggests that the idea was presented for discussion but may not have been seriously considered.

had entertained thoughts about

Focuses on the mental consideration of something with no formal discussion

had briefly mentioned

Indicates a short and informal reference to a topic.

had run the idea up the flagpole

Idiomatic expression suggesting an informal testing of an idea.

had kicked around the idea

Implies informal brainstorming or initial exploration of an idea.

had exchanged views on

Focuses on the sharing of opinions rather than a structured discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "had even discussed" in a sentence?

You can use "had even discussed" to indicate that a topic was considered in the past, often emphasizing the surprising or significant nature of that discussion. For example: "They "had even discussed" the possibility of a merger before the market downturn."

What are some alternatives to "had even discussed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had also considered", "had previously contemplated", or "had already touched upon".

Is it correct to say "have even discussed" instead of "had even discussed"?

The choice between "have" and "had" depends on the timeframe you're referring to. "Have even discussed" implies the discussion is relevant to the present, while "had even discussed" refers to a discussion completed in the past.

What's the difference between "had even discussed" and "had simply considered"?

"Had even discussed" suggests a verbal exchange of ideas, while "had simply considered" implies internal contemplation without necessarily involving others. The former suggests more engagement with the topic.