had exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had exercised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action that was completed before another action in the past, often in the context of past perfect tense. Example: "By the time the meeting started, she had exercised for an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Milwaukee had exercised Leskanic's $1.6 million option on Oct. 30.

The New York Times - Sports

By 1982, 400,000 families had exercised that right.

The Guardian

She concluded that Google had "exercised its contractual right" and done so "for legitimate business purposes".

The New York Times

He said officers had exercised restraint, despite attacks against police vehicles and officers.

The New York Times

The Mets had exercised their $16 million option on Wright for 2013.

The New York Times - Sports

This, my uncle liked to say, was because we had exercised our faith.

The New Yorker

By 2 35, 579 out of 980 students had exercised their voting rights.

The New York Times

GOL said last month that it had exercised firm orders for 34 Boeing 737-800 aircraft.

The New York Times

She was untrained in the iron self-control that Katherine had exercised.

The Guardian - Books

Last year, a drug administered to mice boosted their muscular endurance as though they had exercised.

The New York Times - Books

He would not say whether county officials had exercised prudent oversight.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had exercised" to clearly indicate an action that was completed before another past action, ensuring chronological clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid shifting to simple past tense after using "had exercised". Maintain consistency by using past perfect for actions completed before a specific point in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had exercised" functions primarily as the past perfect form of the verb "exercise". As shown by Ludwig, it indicates an action completed before another point in the past, providing a temporal relationship between two events. Examples show its use in various contexts, from physical activity to exercising rights or judgement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had exercised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to establish a clear sequence of past events, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is appropriate for a wide range of contexts, from formal to informal, and its meaning is generally understood to indicate an action completed prior to another point in the past. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media, scientific publications and encyclopedias. When using "had exercised", ensure consistency in tense and clarity in conveying the timeline of events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had exerted

Focuses on the application of effort or influence.

had utilized

Replaces "exercised" with a broader term for using something.

had employed

Similar to "utilized", but often implies a more formal or deliberate use.

had performed

Focuses on the action of doing something, rather than the exertion.

had demonstrated

Indicates that something was shown or proven through action.

had carried out

Emphasizes the completion of a task or action.

had shown

A more general term for displaying or revealing something.

had executed

Suggests a precise or skillful performance.

had implemented

Specifically refers to putting a plan or system into effect.

had wielded

Implies having and using power or influence.

FAQs

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

Use "had exercised" to indicate an action completed before another action in the past. For example, "By the time the guests arrived, she "had exercised" and showered."

What can I say instead of "had exercised"?

You can use alternatives like "had utilized", "had employed", or "had exerted" depending on the context.

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

Both are correct, but they convey different meanings. "Had exercised" indicates an action completed before another action in the past, while "exercised" (in simple past) describes a completed action in the past without reference to another action.

What's the difference between "had exercised" and "was exercising"?

"Had exercised" indicates a completed action before a specific time in the past, while "was exercising" describes an ongoing action at a specific time in the past.