had expressed that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had expressed that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a past statement or opinion that someone has communicated. Example: "She had expressed that she was unhappy with the decision made by the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

This was the first time Mr. Kerry had expressed that view, and reports emphasized it.

The New York Times

Four years earlier, only about 37 percent had expressed that sentiment.

The New York Times

The order did not indicate whether Mr. Jeter had expressed that desire in a context he did not mean for tax officials to take so seriously — during, say, salary negotiations with the Yankees.

The New York Times

The unusual declaration was not as much a presidential endorsement of Mrs. Clinton — she had expressed that support earlier this year — but an endorsement of a "super PAC" encouraging her to run.

The New York Times

The Bush administration said it had British support in calling for compensation and acknowledgment of responsibility, and the British foreign secretary, Robin Cook, told the House of Commons today that he had expressed that support to Secretary of State Colin L. Powell.

The New York Times

Prior to the 1880 Republican National Convention, Garfield had expressed that he was a Blaine supporter.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's also because there's something about "apologising unreservedly" for views you've expressed that doesn't add up.

The Guardian

"I feel very good that way, in spite of her past record that angers so many of us, and I've expressed that anger directly at Hillary".

The New York Times

How many more would have expressed that call had there been any possibility of it?

HuffPost

At this crucial moment, not many privacy experts have expressed that trust.

Vice

Many films have expressed that idea in fiction, had their Dunkirk moment, but the real moment had not been addressed in modern movies.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had expressed that" when you want to emphasize that someone communicated a specific thought, feeling, or opinion in the past. It's particularly useful when the context requires highlighting the fact that the communication occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "had expressed that" when a simpler verb like "said" or "stated" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose. For instance, instead of writing "He had expressed that he was tired", consider "He said he was tired".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had expressed that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, introducing a subordinate clause that conveys the content of what someone communicated in the past. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently introduces opinions, feelings, or intentions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

31%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had expressed that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for reporting past communications, particularly opinions or feelings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage across a range of contexts, from news and media to academic writing. While versatile, remember to consider simpler alternatives like "said" or "stated" for more casual contexts. To prevent overuse, consider alternatives such as "had stated that" or "had indicated that" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had stated that

This alternative emphasizes a formal declaration.

had indicated that

This suggests a less direct form of communication.

had conveyed that

This highlights the transmission of information or feelings.

had communicated that

This focuses on the act of making something known.

had voiced that

This implies an audible expression of a thought or feeling.

had articulated that

This suggests a clear and detailed expression.

had revealed that

This highlights the uncovering of previously unknown information.

had disclosed that

This emphasizes the revealing of private or confidential information.

had mentioned that

This suggests a casual or brief reference.

had remarked that

This implies a comment or observation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "had expressed that"?

You can use alternatives like "had stated that", "had indicated that", or "had mentioned that", depending on the context.

How to use "had expressed that" in a sentence?

"Had expressed that" is used to indicate that someone communicated a thought, feeling, or opinion in the past. For example: "She had expressed that she was unhappy with the decision."

Is "had expressed that" formal or informal?

"Had expressed that" is generally considered neutral in tone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although simpler alternatives may be preferred in very informal settings.

What is the difference between "had expressed that" and "said that"?

"Had expressed that" emphasizes the act of communication and can imply a stronger articulation of a thought or feeling compared to the more neutral "said that". For example, using "said that" might simply report a statement, while "had expressed that" highlights the conveyance of an opinion or emotion.