had linked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had linked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action of linking occurred before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the meeting started, she had linked all the relevant documents for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Initial plans had linked the two directly.

The New York Times

They had linked arms by then.

The Guardian

A judge had linked the slaying to the secret police.

The New York Times

Bankers and analysts had linked Time Warner to UKTV.

The Guardian

Some cyclists had linked those deaths to rumored EPO use.

The New York Times - Sports

And she had linked to her Facebook page on Klout.

The New York Times - Tech

Detectives had linked her murder to an attack on another sex worker on 18 January.

The Guardian

The state police had linked Mr. Mansoor to five room burglaries.

The New York Times

She argued the government had linked increased funding to improvements in access.

The Guardian

Prosecutors said DNA evidence and microscopic paint particles had linked him to most of those deaths.

The New York Times

He had linked with the Roosters following a year playing rugby league in regional Queensland.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had linked" when you want to clearly establish that a connection was made before a specific point in the past. For instance, "By the time the investigation concluded, the detectives had linked the suspect to several crime scenes".

Common error

Avoid using the simple past ("linked") when the action of linking occurred before another action in the past. Using the past perfect ("had linked") clarifies the sequence of events and ensures your writing is precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had linked" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of connecting or associating that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had linked" is a past perfect verb phrase used to establish a connection or association that occurred before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. To use it effectively, ensure the context involves two past events where the linking action precedes the other. Alternatives include "had associated" or "had connected", depending on the specific nuance. By avoiding simple past tense when past perfect is needed, writers can ensure clarity and accuracy in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had associated

This term focuses on a mental connection or relationship.

had connected

This term implies a direct relationship or joining of two or more things.

had related

This term emphasizes the existence of a relationship or connection.

had correlated

This term suggests a statistical relationship between two variables.

had coupled

This term implies a joining or pairing of two things.

had tied

This term conveys a strong connection or bond.

had joined

This term signifies the act of bringing things together.

had united

This term suggests a merging or combining of things into one.

had interwoven

This term implies a complex connection with elements intricately combined.

had integrated

This term refers to combining elements to form a cohesive whole.

FAQs

How is "had linked" used in a sentence?

"Had linked" is used to indicate that a connection or association was made before another action in the past. For example, "The police "had linked" the suspect to the crime before the trial began".

What are some alternatives to "had linked"?

Some alternatives include "had associated", "had connected", or "had related", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "had linked" instead of "linked"?

Use "had linked" when you need to show that the linking action occurred before another event in the past. If you are simply stating that a link exists without reference to another past event, "linked" may suffice. For example, "The study "linked" smoking to cancer."

What is the difference between "had linked" and "was linked"?

"Had linked" indicates that someone performed the action of linking, while "was linked" is a passive construction indicating that something was linked by someone or something else. For example, "The researcher "had linked" the two studies" versus "The two studies "were linked" by the researcher".