had withdrawn

USAGE SUMMARY

"had withdrawn" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that happened in the past. For example, "The troops had withdrawn from the battlefield before the enemy arrived."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The North Koreans had withdrawn.

Princeton University

Meanwhile Xuanzong had withdrawn more and more.

Britannica

By February 1989, the Soviets had withdrawn.

The New York Times

The Soviet Union had withdrawn from Afghanistan by then.

University of California, Berkeley

By the early seventies, the U.S. had withdrawn its ambassador.

The New Yorker

American Express had withdrawn the money from the tile purchase.

The New York Times

"I had withdrawn in campaign fatigue," Ms. Cabiling said.

The New York Times

Both the British and the French had withdrawn peacefully.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both nations had withdrawn their Ambassadors after the 1994 bombing.

The New York Times

By the end of the year, eight students had withdrawn.

The New York Times

Since then, some said, even the traffic police had withdrawn.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had withdrawn" to clearly indicate that an action of removing something or someone occurred before another point in the past. For example, "By the time the authorities arrived, the protesters "had withdrawn" from the building."

Common error

Avoid using "had withdrawn" when referring to present or future actions. This tense is specifically for actions completed before another point in the past. For instance, instead of "He had withdrawn his application now," say "He has withdrawn his application now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had withdrawn" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates an action of removing or retracting something that was completed before another point in time. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had withdrawn" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI explains, its primary function is to indicate an action of removal or retraction completed before another point in time. Common contexts include news articles, academic papers, and general discussions, reflecting its versatility. To ensure accuracy, it's best to use it when describing past actions completed before another specific moment in the past. Alternatives like "had pulled out" or "had retreated" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember to avoid using it for present or future actions to maintain proper tense consistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had pulled out

This alternative emphasizes the act of extracting oneself or a resource from a situation, similar to withdrawing.

had stepped back

This phrase suggests a retreat or distancing from a role or involvement.

had retreated

This alternative suggests a strategic movement away from a position or confrontation.

had receded

This implies a gradual decline or departure, often used in the context of water or influence.

had resigned

This indicates a formal departure from a position or office.

had abandoned

This implies a complete desertion or relinquishment of something.

had relinquished

This suggests a formal surrender or yielding of something.

had backed down

This indicates a retreat from a position or argument, often under pressure.

had opted out

This suggests a conscious decision to remove oneself from a commitment or activity.

had detached

This implies a separation or disconnection from something.

FAQs

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

Use "had withdrawn" to describe an action of taking something back or removing oneself from a situation that was completed before another event in the past. For example, "She "had withdrawn" all her savings before the bank closed."

What are some alternatives to "had withdrawn"?

You can use alternatives like "had pulled out", "had retreated", or "had stepped back" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "had withdrawn" and "withdrew"?

"Had withdrawn" indicates a past perfect tense, meaning the action was completed before another point in the past. "Withdrew" is simple past tense. For example, "He "had withdrawn" his support before the vote took place" versus "He withdrew his support."

Is it correct to say "has withdrawn" instead of "had withdrawn"?

The correct tense depends on the context. Use "has withdrawn" to describe an action completed recently or one that has relevance to the present, versus "had withdrawn" for actions completed before another point in the past. For example, "He "has withdrawn" his application" implies the action is recent, whereas "He "had withdrawn" his application before the deadline" puts it in the past relative to the deadline.