had relinquished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had relinquished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has given up or let go of something in the past, often in a context where the action has relevance to a later point in time. Example: "After years of struggle, she had relinquished her dreams of becoming a professional dancer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most had relinquished their scholarships.

The New York Times - Sports

I had relinquished the front seat to Gabe.

The New York Times

The monarchy had relinquished most of its power.

The New York Times

But, unlike Khodorkovsky, he added, he had relinquished control of his business before taking up politics.

The New Yorker

Further trouble between warring settlers occurred, but by 1805 Connecticut had relinquished all its claims.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By January 2000 Mr Gates had relinquished the top job to Mr Ballmer.

The Economist

By the time of the tribunal hearing in June, Gayed had relinquished his medical licence.

The Guardian

Somewhere along the line, she says, she had relinquished control over her life to Melville.

The New York Times

Ms. Murata at first said that she had relinquished her Taiwan citizenship as a teenager.

The New York Times

Henry had relinquished some of the illegal pills to police, but not her entire supply.

The Guardian

In 1986, after two terms in the House, McCain won the Senate seat that Barry Goldwater had relinquished.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had relinquished", ensure the context clearly indicates what was given up and the circumstances surrounding the action. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had relinquished" when the situation involves a temporary suspension or pause rather than a permanent giving up of something. Use words like 'suspended' or 'paused' to indicate temporary actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had relinquished" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating a completed action of giving up something before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had relinquished" is a grammatically sound and widely used past perfect construction that signifies the act of giving up something before a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI indicates, its function is primarily to convey that someone has voluntarily surrendered control, possession, or a right. With a neutral to formal register, the phrase is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other informative writing. For alternative phrasing, consider "had given up" or "had surrendered". When using "had relinquished", it is best to provide clear context as to what was relinquished and the circumstances surrounding the relinquishment for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had given up

Emphasizes the act of ceasing effort or abandoning something, often with a sense of defeat or resignation.

had surrendered

Implies yielding power, control, or possession, often under pressure or duress.

had ceded

Suggests formally surrendering territory or rights, often in a political or legal context.

had abandoned

Focuses on leaving something behind, often with a sense of neglect or desertion.

had forfeited

Implies losing something as a penalty or consequence of one's actions.

had renounced

Suggests a formal and public rejection of a belief, claim, or possession.

had disclaimed

Emphasizes denying responsibility or connection to something.

had waived

Indicates voluntarily giving up a right or claim.

had abdicated

Typically used for monarchs or leaders giving up their throne or position.

had yielded

Implies giving way or submitting to pressure or force.

FAQs

How to use "had relinquished" in a sentence?

Use "had relinquished" to indicate that someone gave up or surrendered something in the past. For example, "The company had relinquished its claim to the land" or "She had relinquished her parental rights".

What can I say instead of "had relinquished"?

You can use alternatives like "had given up", "had surrendered", or "had abandoned" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "had relinquished" and "had abandoned"?

"Had relinquished" often implies a formal or deliberate giving up of something, whereas "had abandoned" suggests leaving something behind, often with a sense of neglect or desertion. The choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had relinquished of"?

No, the correct usage is "had relinquished [something]" without the "of". For example, "He had relinquished his position" is correct; "He had relinquished of his position" is incorrect.