had slipped through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had slipped through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has passed unnoticed or escaped attention, often referring to an opportunity or detail. Example: "Several important details had slipped through the cracks during the meeting, leading to confusion later on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The crown had slipped through his fingers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Things that had slipped through the cracks over the years.

The New York Times

You felt the record contract had slipped through your fingers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Though trivial in itself, that file had slipped through Apple's normally sturdy defences.

The Economist

She had picked up the information in a movie magazine that had slipped through somehow.

The New Yorker

It helped restore a sense of strength that had slipped through his fingers.

The New York Times

The chance to go top had slipped through their fingers, a reminder not to get too carried away.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Boyd conceded that the advertisements were "in poor taste," and said he "deeply regretted" that they had "slipped through".

The New York Times

I was mesmerized, disoriented, shocked, as if I had slipped through a wormhole to an alternate universe.

The New York Times - Travel

Creasy, who has campaigned against what she calls "legal loan sharks", said the industry had "slipped through the net again".

The Guardian - Business

The books had slipped through the screening process because of the "massive amount" of self-publishing, WH Smith added.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more specific verb provides better clarity. For example, instead of "the error had slipped through", consider "the error had been missed" or "the error had been overlooked" if those are more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "had slipped through" excessively in passive constructions. Instead of "the mistake had slipped through the cracks", try "we missed the mistake" for a more direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had slipped through" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a clause indicating that something evaded notice, control, or a defined process. It is used to express that something was missed, overlooked, or bypassed a system. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had slipped through" is a versatile phrase used to describe something that was missed, overlooked, or bypassed a system or process. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for a wide range of communication. To enhance your writing, ensure clarity regarding the system that failed and avoid overuse in passive voice. Consider alternatives like ""had fallen through the cracks"" or ""had gone unnoticed"" for different nuances. Keep in mind the past perfect tense when using the phrase to ensure proper grammatical context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had fallen through the cracks

This alternative emphasizes the idea of something being overlooked due to systemic failures.

had gone unnoticed

This alternative focuses on the lack of awareness surrounding an event or detail.

had escaped attention

Similar to 'gone unnoticed', but highlights the act of avoiding scrutiny.

had been overlooked

This suggests that something was intentionally or unintentionally ignored.

had passed by undetected

Focuses on the idea of something moving past without being noticed or identified.

had been missed

A simple and direct way of saying something was not noticed or taken advantage of.

had eluded detection

Highlights the difficulty in finding or recognizing something.

had evaded scrutiny

Emphasizes the act of avoiding close examination or investigation.

had skirted past

Suggests something barely avoided or bypassed a certain point or obstacle.

had leaked through

Implies that something was meant to be contained but managed to escape.

FAQs

What does "had slipped through" mean?

The phrase "had slipped through" generally means something was missed, overlooked, or escaped notice within a system, process, or set of controls. It suggests a failure in preventing something from passing through a barrier or being detected.

How can I use "had slipped through" in a sentence?

You can use "had slipped through" to describe errors, opportunities, or even people that evaded detection or capture. For example, "The crucial detail "had slipped through" during the review process" or "The suspect "had slipped through" the security cordon."

What are some alternatives to "had slipped through"?

Alternatives include "had fallen through the cracks", "had gone unnoticed", "had escaped attention", or "had been overlooked". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "had slipped through" or "slipped through"?

The use of "had slipped through" versus "slipped through" depends on the tense you need. "Had slipped through" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Slipped through" is simple past. Example: "By the time we realized it, the error "had slipped through" our checks" versus "The error "slipped through" our checks yesterday."