had leaked out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had leaked out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe information that has become known or been revealed, often unintentionally. Example: "The details of the confidential meeting had leaked out before the official announcement was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Information had leaked out from somewhere.

The New York Times

The B.N.O.B. commission had spent two months drafting the plan, and, in the days leading up to the meeting, many of its details had leaked out, causing widespread alarm.

The New Yorker

For people who found themselves named and workers in Utah's government alike, the result was a real-life version of the old childhood game of "Telephone". Information had leaked out from somewhere.

The New York Times

If that had leaked out, we would've really been crucified".

BBC

A seemingly identical phone had leaked out previously as the HTC Shubert.

TechCrunch

If the tank had ruptured and the acid had leaked out, those exposed could have suffered severe injuries or been killed.

Los Angeles Times

At the time, Farrelly was disappointed news of the cameo had leaked out, but didn't think it would matter all that much.

Huffington Post

By Monday night, the restaurant names had leaked out on Yelp.

The New York Times

All the coolant had leaked out through a hole in the radiator.

The New Yorker

The news of Mr. Gregory's selection had leaked out in reports last week.

The New York Times

The marrow from the bone had leaked out, imbuing everything with its fatty, brawny goodness — especially the watery cabbage.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about confidential information, avoid using "had leaked out" to assign or imply fault. Stay neutral to avoid misrepresentation.

Common error

Avoid using "had leaked out" when the information was intentionally released. "Released" is more appropriate in such scenarios. For example, a company releases a press statement, it doesn't leak it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had leaked out" functions as a phrasal verb in the past perfect tense. It describes an action (leaking) that was completed before another point in time. Ludwig AI confirms that this is standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had leaked out" is a phrasal verb in the past perfect tense, denoting the unintentional release of information or substances. According to Ludwig AI, it is considered grammatically correct and its usage is quite common, especially within news and media contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an unintentional or unauthorized release rather than a deliberate act. While synonyms like "was disclosed" or "came to light" exist, they may alter the nuance slightly. Always consider the context to ensure accuracy and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was disclosed

Focuses on the act of revealing information, often officially or intentionally.

was revealed

Similar to 'disclosed' but can also imply a less deliberate uncovering.

was divulged

Suggests a confidential or sensitive nature to the information revealed.

was made public

Emphasizes the information becoming available to a wider audience.

came to light

Implies the information was previously hidden or unknown.

became known

A general term for information becoming apparent.

escaped

Suggests unintended release, applicable to both information and substances.

was discharged

More suitable when discussing fluids or substances, emphasizing release or expulsion.

was emitted

Similar to 'discharged' but often refers to gases or radiation.

sprang a leak

Focuses on the physical action of leaking, typically of a substance from a container.

FAQs

How do I use "had leaked out" in a sentence?

Use "had leaked out" to describe the unintentional or unauthorized release of information or substances. For instance, "The news of the merger "had leaked out" before the official announcement."

What can I say instead of "had leaked out"?

You can use alternatives like "was disclosed", "was revealed", or "came to light" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "had leaked out" or "leaked out"?

"Had leaked out" implies that the leaking occurred in the past and is now complete. "Leaked out" can refer to a more general or ongoing process. The choice depends on the intended tense and aspect.

What's the difference between "had leaked out" and "was leaked"?

"Had leaked out" emphasizes the action of leaking and the resulting state. "Was leaked" emphasizes that something was subjected to being leaked, often by an external actor. For example, "The information "had leaked out"" vs "The information "was leaked" by a source."