had mentioned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had mentioned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that was stated or brought up in the past, often in relation to a specific context or conversation. Example: "During our last meeting, she had mentioned the importance of meeting deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I had mentioned Yahoo.

The New York Times

Nobody had mentioned this.

Independent

Chanu had mentioned nothing.

The Guardian - Books

Hitler himself had mentioned it, in 1942.

The New Yorker

Psycho had mentioned him while being questioned.

The New York Times

The physician had mentioned the unmentionable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

They've mentioned it.

The New York Times

I've mentioned only plays.

The New York Times

We should have mentioned it.

The New York Times

I've mentioned several already.

The New York Times

Nobody has mentioned it.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had mentioned" to refer back to information introduced earlier in a conversation or document, ensuring clarity and context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "had mentioned" when the action of mentioning is still relevant or ongoing. In such cases, use the present perfect form "has mentioned" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had mentioned" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates that an action of mentioning occurred before another point in time in the past. This is supported by the numerous examples Ludwig provides, showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had mentioned" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used in the past perfect tense to refer to something that was previously stated. According to Ludwig's analysis, its primary function is to provide context by linking back to information already introduced. It's most frequently encountered in News & Media, but it can be found in various registers from neutral to slightly formal. When using "had mentioned", ensure that the timing of events necessitates the past perfect tense to avoid confusion. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had stated

Focuses more directly on the act of making a statement.

had brought up

Emphasizes the act of introducing a topic into a conversation.

had indicated

Suggests a more subtle form of communication than direct mention.

had noted

Implies a brief or concise reference.

had remarked

Indicates a casual or incidental comment.

had pointed out

Highlights the act of drawing attention to something specific.

had touched upon

Suggests a brief or superficial discussion of a topic.

had alluded to

Implies an indirect or veiled reference.

had reported

Implies conveying information, often in a formal setting.

had disclosed

Suggests revealing something previously unknown.

FAQs

How to use "had mentioned" in a sentence?

Use "had mentioned" to refer to something that someone stated or brought up at a prior time. For example: "She said she was busy, but she "had mentioned" being free next week."

What can I say instead of "had mentioned"?

You can use alternatives like "had stated", "had indicated", or "had noted" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has mentioned" instead of "had mentioned"?

The choice between "has mentioned" and "had mentioned" depends on the tense and context. "Has mentioned" is present perfect, used for actions completed recently or with present relevance, while "had mentioned" is past perfect, used for actions completed before a specific point in the past.

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

"Had mentioned" (past perfect) indicates that the act of mentioning occurred before another event in the past. "Mentioned" (simple past) simply states that the act of mentioning occurred in the past without specifying its relation to another past event.