had indicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had indicated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that was pointed out or suggested in the past, often in relation to a previous statement or action. Example: "The report had indicated that there were significant discrepancies in the data collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Mrs. Macomber had indicated noontime).

The New York Times

Earlier accounts had indicated that Officer Ridley was shot twice.

The New York Times

Two of his Yorkshire seasons had indicated substantial promise.

The Guardian - Sport

Initial reports had indicated there were 16 marines on board.

The New York Times

The birds that had indicated the fish had lifted suddenly.

The New Yorker

Mrs. Rell said several insurers had indicated interest in participating.

The New York Times

Then I looked again in the direction she had indicated.

The New Yorker

The opposition had indicated it would support Mr. Jamali.

The New York Times

Mr. Raskatov occasionally overruled instrumental voicings that Schnittke had indicated.

The New York Times - Arts

He said he had indicated that in announcing his candidacy.

The New York Times

Mr Doyle had indicated that he would sign the bill.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had indicated" to refer to information that was previously stated or suggested, ensuring that the context clearly establishes the prior communication. This helps to build a coherent narrative and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had indicated" when referring to a current or future indication. "Has indicated" or "indicates" would be more appropriate in such cases. Ensure the past perfect tense aligns with the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had indicated" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It establishes that an action of indicating or suggesting occurred before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had indicated" is a versatile and grammatically sound past perfect verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's commonly used in various contexts, especially in News & Media, to refer to actions of suggesting or pointing out that occurred before a specific time in the past. Its function is typically to provide background information or context. While versatile, it's important to maintain correct tense usage to avoid miscommunication. Related phrases include alternatives like "had suggested" and "had pointed out". The phrase is generally neutral in tone, leaning slightly towards the formal side.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had suggested

Replaces "indicated" with a more direct synonym, implying a less formal suggestion.

had pointed out

Focuses on the act of bringing something to someone's attention, often highlighting a specific detail.

had shown

Implies that something was made evident through evidence or demonstration, rather than a direct statement.

had revealed

Suggests that something previously hidden or unknown was brought to light.

had signaled

Emphasizes a non-verbal or indirect communication of intent or information.

had communicated

A more general term for conveying information, which might include verbal and non-verbal methods.

had expressed

Focuses on the outward manifestation of a feeling or opinion.

had mentioned

A more casual way of saying something was brought up, often briefly or in passing.

had specified

Highlights that something was stated clearly and precisely, leaving no room for ambiguity.

had disclosed

Implies the revelation of information that was previously private or confidential.

FAQs

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

Use "had indicated" to show that something was pointed out or suggested in the past. For example: "The weather forecast "had indicated" rain, so we brought umbrellas."

What are some alternatives to using "had indicated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "had suggested", "had pointed out", or "had shown".

What's the difference between "had indicated" and "indicated"?

"Had indicated" is past perfect, referring to an action completed before another point in the past. "Indicated" is simple past, referring to an action completed in the past. For example: "The signs "indicated" a detour; earlier, a map "had indicated" the same."

Is it correct to say "have indicated" instead of "had indicated"?

The choice between "have indicated" and "had indicated" depends on the timeline. "Have indicated" is present perfect, implying relevance to the present, while "had indicated" is past perfect, referring to something completed before another point in the past. For example, "They "have indicated" their willingness to help," versus "They "had indicated" their willingness before the meeting began."