had signed a declaration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had signed a declaration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone completed the act of signing a declaration at some point in the past, often in relation to a specific event or context. Example: "By the time the meeting started, they had signed a declaration affirming their commitment to the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Tokelauans had signed a declaration of dependence….

The New Yorker

Tokelauans had signed a declaration of dependence… View Article Ian Parker contributed his first piece to The New Yorker in 1994 and became a staff writer in 2000.

The New Yorker

And by Thursday, the closing day, many participants had signed a declaration pledging themselves to work for just that -- along with combatting poverty and pressing for environmental protection.

The New York Times

In 1943, in Moscow, the Allies had signed a declaration to the effect that Austria was not a Nazi state but Nazism's first victim, and after the war this was how Austria chose to see itself.

The New Yorker

Michael Dearington, the state's attorney who is prosecuting the suspects in the Petit killings, said he did not know whether Mrs. Hawke-Petit had signed a Declaration of Life.

The New York Times

Last week, the Observer ran the story of how Daud Abdullah, a member of the government's Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, had signed a declaration in Istanbul opposing the ceasefire in Gaza and advocating attacks on Royal Navy ships if they imposed an arms blockade.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They have signed a declaration "to stop the establishment of Papa John's in our neighborhood".

The New York Times

However, he has signed a declaration saying he will never own one - thus avoiding the fee.

The Guardian

The refugees have signed a declaration that they are not being forcibly returned".

The New York Times

Some 300 prominent intellectuals have signed a declaration protesting any attempt to expunge reference to the republic's Turkish character.

The New York Times

All the Parliamentary parties have signed a declaration against intolerance and anti-Semitism.For once, Hungarian politicians have done the right thing, and not just in Budapest.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had signed a declaration" to indicate a formal and documented agreement or commitment to a set of principles or statements. Ensure the context clearly identifies who signed the declaration and what the declaration pertains to.

Common error

Avoid using "had signed a declaration" when referring to a present or future action. The past perfect tense indicates an action completed before another point in the past. For ongoing or future commitments, use present or future tenses instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had signed a declaration" functions as a verb phrase indicating a completed action in the past, specifically the act of signing a formal statement. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability and correctness, supported by examples from reputable sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had signed a declaration" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of formally endorsing a written statement at a prior time. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, this phrase conveys commitment or agreement. While not exceptionally common, its presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formally signed a declaration

Adds emphasis to the official or ceremonial nature of the signing.

endorsed a declaration

Focuses on the act of publicly supporting or approving a formal statement.

ratified a declaration

Suggests formal approval, often by a governing body or representative.

affixed their signature to a declaration

Emphasizes the physical act of signing and its binding nature.

approved a declaration

Indicates acceptance and authorization of the declaration.

put their name to a declaration

Similar to affixing a signature, but highlights personal endorsement.

subscribed to a declaration

Emphasizes agreement and commitment to the principles outlined in the declaration.

acceded to a declaration

Suggests agreement and willingness to adhere to the terms of the declaration.

consented to a declaration

Highlights the voluntary nature of the agreement.

accepted a declaration

Implies agreement to the terms and conditions of the declaration.

FAQs

How can I use "had signed a declaration" in a sentence?

Use "had signed a declaration" to describe a situation where someone completed the act of signing a formal statement before a specific point in time. For example: "By the end of the conference, all participants "had signed a declaration" of support".

What is an alternative to saying "had signed a declaration"?

Depending on the context, alternatives could include "formally signed a declaration", "endorsed a declaration", or "put their name to a declaration".

What does it mean to say someone "had signed a declaration"?

It means that they officially indicated their agreement or support for a formal statement by adding their signature to it at some point in the past.

Is there a difference between "had signed a declaration" and "signed a declaration"?

"Had signed a declaration" uses the past perfect tense, indicating the action was completed before a specific time in the past. "Signed a declaration" uses the simple past tense, indicating the action was completed at some point in the past, without necessarily specifying a reference point.