had sorted out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had sorted out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a problem or issue has been resolved or organized in the past. Example: "After several hours of discussion, we had sorted out the main issues affecting the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

I was unable to go on until I had sorted out a number of thoughts that had been aroused.

The New York Times - Books

The client had sorted out all the so-called junk, but Mr. McManus asked to see the discards anyway.

The New York Times

By then, communications between the two militaries had sorted out a chain of errors and the shooting had stopped.

The New York Times

His smile was lavish and sympathetic, indicating that he was glad they had sorted out their misunderstanding.

The New Yorker

The driver, who separated from his wife in 1982, told Sutton "he had sorted out a few personal problems back at home".

The Guardian - Sport

Normal service would be resumed after the election, if necessary, once the new government had sorted out the mess at Westminster.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

We had to sort out the defence budget and we have sorted out the defence budget.

The Economist

The nurses in the infirmary have sorted out personal medications.

The New York Times

Do you think the industry has sorted out its problems?

The New York Times

Anyway we've sorted out the problem now.

The Guardian - Books

It's a weight off my shoulders to have sorted out my future".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had sorted out" to indicate that a problem or issue has been successfully resolved or organized at a point in the past. It works well when emphasizing completion and resolution.

Common error

Avoid using "had sorted out" when referring to ongoing or future actions. This phrase specifically refers to actions completed in the past. Use "are sorting out" for present actions and "will sort out" for future actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had sorted out" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action of resolving or organizing something that was completed before a specific time in the past. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe resolution of problems or arrangements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had sorted out" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect verb phrase that indicates the completion of resolving or organizing something before a specific point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. To enhance clarity and precision in writing, consider using alternative phrases such as "had resolved" or "had clarified" depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the diverse applications of this phrase in conveying that an issue, problem, or situation has been successfully resolved or clarified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had resolved

Focuses more directly on problem-solving and reaching a conclusion.

had clarified

Implies making something clearer and easier to understand.

had straightened out

Suggests removing confusion or disorder to make something clear and organized.

had settled

Indicates that something has been decided or resolved, often after a period of discussion or uncertainty.

had figured out

Emphasizes the process of understanding or discovering something through thought or effort.

had ironed out

Suggests removing small problems or difficulties to achieve a smooth result.

had taken care of

Implies handling something to ensure it is properly managed or resolved.

had put right

Focuses on correcting something that was wrong or not functioning properly.

had put in order

Suggests arranging or organizing something into a neat and effective state.

had dealt with

Indicates that something has been handled or managed effectively, often in response to a challenge or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "had sorted out" in a sentence?

You can use "had sorted out" to describe a situation where a problem or issue has been resolved in the past. For example, "By the time the meeting started, we "had sorted out" all the logistical details."

What are some alternatives to "had sorted out"?

Some alternatives include "had resolved", "had clarified", or "had straightened out", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have sorted out" instead of "had sorted out"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Have sorted out" implies a recent action with present relevance, while "had sorted out" refers to an action completed at a specific point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the action.

What is the difference between "had sorted out" and "sorted out"?

"Had sorted out" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. "Sorted out" is in the simple past tense, indicating an action completed in the past. Use "had sorted out" when you need to emphasize the sequence of past events.