had got

USAGE SUMMARY

"had got" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a state that has already ended, usually at a point in the past. For example: "Ten years ago, I had got a job at the local bank."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hadden had got bored.

The New Yorker

Louise had got old.

The New Yorker

The booze had got him.

The Economist

What had got into him?

The New Yorker

Prunty had got into trouble.

The New Yorker

That had got them depressed.

The New Yorker

I had got so confused.

Independent

He had got the fight.

Independent

Something had got in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We had got tired.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

and also had got the similar result as Theorem 1.2.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more formal or precise synonym like "had obtained" or "had received" would be more appropriate for your writing context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "had got" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "had obtained" or "had received". Choose your words carefully to ensure your writing maintains the appropriate tone for the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had got" functions as the past perfect tense of the verb "get". It indicates that an action was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had got" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase in English, functioning as the past perfect tense of "get". Ludwig AI validates its correctness, supported by a multitude of real-world examples. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "had got" and more formal alternatives like "had obtained". Its frequency is notably high in news and media sources. Remember to use "had got" to clearly establish the sequence of past events, ensuring clarity and context in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had obtained

Replaces "got" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of acquiring something.

had acquired

Similar to "had obtained" but can also imply a gradual accumulation.

had received

Focuses on the act of being given something rather than actively acquiring it.

had secured

Implies effort and intentionality in obtaining something, often something valuable.

had become

Shifts the focus to a change in state or condition.

had reached

Suggests arriving at a particular point or state.

had developed

Emphasizes a process of growth or change over time.

had contracted

Often used in the context of illnesses or diseases.

had understood

Shifts the meaning to comprehension or knowledge.

had earned

Implies that something was gained through effort or merit.

FAQs

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

Use "had got" to describe a past action that was completed before another action in the past. For example, "By the time I arrived, he "had got" home."

What are some alternatives to using "had got"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had obtained", "had received", or "had become".

Is "had got" grammatically correct?

Yes, "had got" is grammatically correct in English. It's the past perfect form of "get" and is used to describe an action completed before another past action.

What's the difference between "had got" and "gotten"?

"Gotten" is an alternative past participle of "get", mainly used in American English. In British English, "got" is the preferred form. Therefore, "had got" is more common in British English, while "had gotten" is more common in American English.