had obtained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was acquired or received in the past before another past event. Example: "By the time the meeting started, she had obtained all the necessary documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each said the other had obtained it.

The New York Times

By 10am, a second couple had obtained a license.

The Guardian

Sayyah wanted to know where McCotter had obtained his information.

The New Yorker

Few Italian politicians had obtained such international recognition.

The Guardian

I asked Jackson why he had obtained a permit.

The New Yorker

Sawyan said she had obtained a driver's licence from abroad.

The Guardian

But since we had obtained them legally, we got clearance".

The New York Times - Tech

Ms. Vegter had obtained 16 tickets from Carnegie.

The New York Times - Arts

The committee said it had obtained images of the wreckage.

The Guardian

I had obtained a fellowship to Carnegie-Mellon in Pittsburgh.

The New York Times - Science

Baker said investigators had obtained data from the phone.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had obtained" to clearly indicate that an action of obtaining something was completed before another point in the past. This helps establish a clear sequence of events in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had obtained" when a simple past tense ("obtained") is sufficient. Overusing the past perfect can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Use it only when it's essential to show that one action preceded another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had obtained" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It is used to indicate that an action of obtaining something was completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had obtained" is a versatile and grammatically correct past perfect verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to establish a clear sequence of past events, indicating that the action of obtaining something occurred before another point in the past. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While "had obtained" is widely used, it's crucial to avoid overuse and ensure the past perfect tense is necessary for clarity. Alternatives such as "had acquired" or "had received" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had acquired

Focuses more on the process of gaining possession, often through effort.

had received

Emphasizes the act of being given something.

had secured

Implies effort or competition in getting something.

had gained

Suggests a gradual process of achieving or getting something.

had come by

Informal way of saying "had obtained", suggesting how the acquisition happened.

had procured

Implies careful or diligent effort in obtaining something, often something difficult to get.

had taken possession of

Formal way of saying "had obtained", emphasizing ownership or control.

had been granted

Highlights the act of someone giving or allowing access to something.

had been given

Similar to "had received" but may imply a gift or favor.

had appropriated

Can suggest taking something, sometimes without permission or rightfully.

FAQs

How do I use "had obtained" in a sentence?

Use "had obtained" to indicate that an action of obtaining something was completed before another action in the past. For example, "By the time the police arrived, the thief "had obtained" all the valuables".

What can I say instead of "had obtained"?

You can use alternatives like "had acquired", "had received", or "had secured" depending on the context.

When should I use "had obtained" vs. "obtained"?

Use "had obtained" to emphasize that the act of obtaining occurred before another point in the past. Use "obtained" when describing a simple past action without needing to establish a prior event.

Is "has obtained" grammatically correct?

Yes, but "has obtained" is present perfect tense, indicating an action completed before the present. "Had obtained" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past.