had slowed down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had slowed down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was completed in the past, indicating that something or someone reduced speed or intensity before another past event. Example: "By the time the storm hit, the traffic had slowed down significantly, allowing for safer travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The game had slowed down for him.

The New York Times - Sports

He had slowed down to the seemly, even cautious rate that this road required.

The New Yorker

Ms. Nixon's campaign immediately criticized the event as a photo opportunity that had slowed down trains.

The New York Times

Lately, though, the pace of protests, marches and demonstrations had slowed down "a lot," she said.

The Washington Post

The cruiser had been traveling 32 knots and had slowed down to 17, Cpl.

The Washington Post

Others shrugged their shoulders and said things had slowed down a bit.

The New York Times

"Business had slowed down," said Barbara Gallois, former co-owner of Central Color.

The New York Times

He'd written "Born Too Late" in 1986, but the world had slowed down and caught up with him.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Cimino said she had slowed down but still enjoyed a cigarette and a glass of wine.

The New York Times - Books

"I know a lot of people talk about my back, and I know I had slowed down, for sure.

The New York Times - Sports

"Over the years Puan's eyelashes had greyed, her movement had slowed down and her mind had started to wander.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had slowed down", ensure the context clearly establishes the initial state and the subsequent reduction in speed or activity. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "had slowed down" when a simple past tense like "slowed down" is more appropriate. Use "had slowed down" only when referring to an action completed before another action in the past. For example, prefer "The car slowed down at the intersection" to "The car had slowed down at the intersection" unless you're establishing a sequence of past events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had slowed down" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had slowed down" is a grammatically sound and very common past perfect verb phrase used to describe a reduction in speed or activity before another past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to establish a clear timeline to ensure correct tense sequencing. While alternatives like "had decelerated" or "had diminished" exist, "had slowed down" remains a versatile and readily understood choice for conveying this specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had decelerated

Focuses specifically on a decrease in speed.

had diminished

Indicates a reduction in strength, size, or intensity.

had lessened

Implies a decrease in amount, degree, or force.

had eased off

Suggests a gradual reduction in pressure or effort.

had lost momentum

Indicates a decline in forward movement or progress.

had stagnated

Emphasizes a lack of growth or development.

had plateaued

Suggests reaching a level of stability after a period of increase.

had cooled off

Implies a reduction in enthusiasm or intensity.

had winded down

Indicates a gradual cessation of activity.

had quieted down

Suggests a reduction in noise or disturbance.

FAQs

How can I use "had slowed down" in a sentence?

Use "had slowed down" to describe an action that reduced speed or activity before another past action. For example, "By the time I arrived, the rain "had slowed down"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "had slowed down"?

Alternatives include "had decelerated", "had diminished", or "had lessened", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "had slowed down" and "slowed down"?

"Had slowed down" indicates the past perfect tense, describing an action completed before another past action. "Slowed down" is simple past tense, describing a single action in the past. Use "had slowed down" when sequencing past events is important.

Is it correct to say "the economy had slowed down"?

Yes, it is correct. This implies that the economy's growth rate decreased at some point in the past. For example, "The report indicated that the economy "had slowed down" significantly last quarter."