had just discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had just discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a conversation or discussion occurred very recently in the past, often in relation to another event or action. Example: "They had just discussed the project details before the meeting started."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And that's also what affects the percent modulation as we had just discussed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jean-Marie Haessle, a French-born artist with mortality on his mind -- he had just discussed his will with a lawyer in Lower Manhattan -- began hustling back uptown after the collapse of the first tower.

The New York Times

I asked my "History of Mathematics" class to come up with an exact breakdown based on zero's provenance, something that, coincidentally, we had just discussed when the carbon dating news broke.

The New York Times

Talking with reporters today, Joseph L. Bruno, the Republican majority leader of the State Senate, said he had just discussed redistricting with Vice President Dick Cheney, "and he was very pleased with the results that we are contemplating and the way things are moving".

The New York Times

There was no apparent recollection that we had just discussed Obama's own supposed indoctrination.

Huffington Post

I had no idea that my dear friend Tom Joyner was going to share with you Friday morning what we had just discussed barely 12 hours earlier Thursday evening.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We've just discussed the obvious.

The New York Times - Sports

But the real lessons involve everything we've just discussed.

The New York Times - Health

FLOTTENRICHTER KRANZBUEHLER: When was this order which we have just discussed formally rescinded?

Yale University

The first is a risk theme, which I've just discussed.

Yale University

That's actually not a better solution, for all the reasons we've just discussed.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had just discussed" to clearly indicate that a conversation or topic was addressed very recently before the current point in time. This helps establish a clear sequence of events for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "have just discussed" when referring to a past event. "Had just discussed" is the correct past perfect tense to use when linking a recent discussion to a past action or situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had just discussed" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense, indicating an action (discussing) that was completed shortly before another action or point in time in the past. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had just discussed" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to indicate that a discussion occurred immediately before another event in the past. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is functional and appropriate in many contexts. It commonly appears in News & Media, Academia, and Science writing, denoting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to past events and aim to clarify the temporal sequence for your readers. Alternatives such as "recently discussed" or "previously talked about" can be used based on your desired level of formality and the specifics of the discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just finished discussing

This emphasizes the immediacy of the completed discussion.

recently discussed

This alternative replaces "had just" with "recently", indicating a discussion in the near past.

were just discussing

Changes the tense to past continuous. Indicates an on-going recent discussion.

previously talked about

This alternative uses "talked about" instead of "discussed", offering a more informal tone.

already covered

This phrase emphasizes the completion of the discussion, focusing on the content being addressed.

went over earlier

This alternative is more conversational, suggesting a review or summary of a topic.

addressed previously

This option provides a more formal alternative, emphasizing the act of addressing a specific issue.

conversed about

This alternative uses the word "conversed", which may imply a more elaborate exchange.

touched on recently

This phrase indicates a brief or superficial discussion, suggesting the topic wasn't explored in depth.

hashed out

Implies a thorough and sometimes intense discussion to reach a resolution.

FAQs

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

Use "had just discussed" to indicate that a discussion took place immediately before another event in the past. For example: "They "had just discussed" the budget when the meeting was interrupted."

What are some alternatives to "had just discussed"?

Some alternatives include "recently discussed", "previously talked about", or "already covered". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

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

No, "have just discussed" is present perfect and not suitable when referring to a past event that occurred before another past event. Use ""had just discussed"" for past perfect tense.

What's the difference between ""had just discussed"" and "were just discussing"?

"Had just discussed" indicates a completed action before another event, while "were just discussing" implies an action in progress. For example: "They "had just discussed" the plan before the manager arrived" versus "They were just discussing the plan when the manager arrived."