had slid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had slid" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action that occurred before another action in the past, often in a narrative context. Example: "By the time we arrived, the car had slid off the road during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The baby had slid out into her mother's hands.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, my husband's ambivalence had slid into abstract desire.

The New Yorker

She had slid underneath the covers with all her clothes on.

The New Yorker

They had slid early in the week on worries that the transaction might not be completed.

The New York Times

Her nightdress had slid up around her belly, and she tugged it down over her knees.

The New Yorker

Someone had slid some logs into it lengthwise, to narrow the entrance.

The New Yorker

Over the years, she explained, her understanding of what happened had slid between "rape" and "seduction".

The New Yorker

But not before he had slid the ball into the net.

The New York Times - Sports

By 2008/09, Andorra's share of the British market had slid to one in 20.

Independent

By Friday, shares of Booz Allen had slid nearly 6 percent since the revelations.

The New York Times

Mr. Zakaryayev recalled wondering whether he had slid back into his old reverence for Mr. Awlaki.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had slid" to describe smooth, often unintentional, movement or a gradual decline in a narrative context.

Common error

Ensure you're using "slid" (past participle of 'slide') correctly and not confusing it with similar-sounding verbs like "sled" (went sledding) or "slayed" (killed or impressed greatly).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had slid" functions as the past perfect tense of the verb 'to slide'. It indicates an action of sliding that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had slid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect construction. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and widely applicable. Its primary function is to describe a sliding action that occurred before another event in the past, often in narrative or descriptive contexts. While predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register allows for use across various writing styles. When choosing alternatives, consider the nuances of words like "had slipped" or "had glided" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had slipped

Indicates a similar unintentional movement, but might imply a less controlled motion than "had slid".

had glided

Suggests a smoother and more effortless movement compared to "had slid".

had drifted

Implies a passive movement influenced by external forces rather than intentional action.

had declined

Refers to a decrease in value, quality, or condition, sharing the sense of gradual change.

had deteriorated

Signifies a worsening condition or state, implying a negative change over time.

had descended

Indicates a downward movement, either physically or metaphorically, such as in status or quality.

had tumbled

Suggests a rapid and uncontrolled fall or decline, often with a sense of chaos.

had sunk

Implies a downward movement to a lower level or a decline in status or condition.

had regressed

Indicates a return to a previous, often less desirable, state or condition.

had gravitated

Implies a natural tendency to move towards something, often without conscious effort.

FAQs

How can I use "had slid" in a sentence?

"Had slid" is used to indicate a completed action before another action in the past. For example, "By the time we arrived, the car "had slid" off the road."

What are some alternatives to "had slid"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had slipped", "had glided", or "had drifted".

When is it appropriate to use "had slid" instead of "slid"?

"Had slid" indicates the past perfect tense, showing an action completed before another past action. "Slid" simply indicates a past action. For example, "The car "had slid" before we saw it" versus "The car "slid" off the road yesterday."

What's the difference between "had slid" and "had slipped"?

While both indicate a past action of moving unintentionally, ""had slid"" often implies a smoother, more controlled movement, whereas "had slipped" suggests a loss of traction and a more sudden, uncontrolled movement.