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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
had worked through
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "had worked through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has completed a process or dealt with a situation in the past. Example: "After several long meetings, we had worked through all the issues that were causing delays in the project."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
56 human-written examples
Obama had worked through six drafts of the speech and stayed up until 3.30am revising it.
News & Media
Sullivan and Peterson had worked through the night, and both were badly in need of a shower and a shave.
News & Media
As Sam Seaborn, the deputy communications director in the "West Wing" version of the White House, Mr. Lowe had worked through almost every political situation imaginable.
News & Media
I had worked through a difficult selection process, I had made it to the beginning and I had no real idea what lay ahead.
News & Media
MIAMI BEACH, Fla .— For her wedding over the weekend, Nina Johnson had worked through a predictable checklist of locations in town: hotel ballrooms, restaurant halls and catering outfits.
News & Media
The timing made it even worse: he had worked through the fall of 1938 to finish the essay, believing that war could break out at any moment.
News & Media
Its crews had worked through the night on Thursday to remove debris from its rights-of-way, only to face another headache in the morning rush.
News & Media
Unconfirmed reports on social network forums suggested that Mr. Erhardt had worked through the night on three consecutive times as part of his internship.
News & Media
Perhaps he felt, or sensed, that he had worked through the romantic comedy and history play and the emotional trajectories of maturation that they encompassed.
Encyclopedias
As an artist he had worked through that seriousness, and presented us with many works of subtlety and depth in their presentation of the human condition.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
1 human-written examples
But slowly, the benefits have worked through.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Pair "had worked through" with a clear indication of what was being worked through, to provide context to the reader.
Common error
Avoid using "had worked through" when a simpler verb like "completed" or "finished" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where the process itself is significant.
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "had worked through" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating that an action was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig shows various instances where it describes processes, resolutions, or experiences.
Frequent in
News & Media
70%
Science
15%
Encyclopedias
5%
Less common in
Formal & Business
3%
Reference
3%
Wiki
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "had worked through" is a versatile past perfect verb phrase used to describe the completion of a process or the resolution of a challenge. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember to use it when you want to emphasize effort or a systematic approach, and avoid overusing it in place of simpler verbs like "completed". Alternatives like "had completed" or "had resolved" can be used depending on the intended nuance.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
had completed
Focuses on the completion aspect, omitting the process or challenges.
had finished
Stresses the act of bringing something to an end.
had resolved
Emphasizes the solution of a problem or issue.
had addressed
Implies dealing with or focusing on specific points or issues.
had overcome
Highlights the surmounting of obstacles or difficulties.
had sorted out
Emphasizes the act of organizing or clarifying something.
had processed
Implies a systematic handling or transformation.
had experienced
Focuses on the undergoing of a particular event or situation.
had navigated
Suggests skillful handling of a complex or challenging situation.
had mastered
Focuses on gaining a complete understanding or control over something.
FAQs
How can I use "had worked through" in a sentence?
You can use "had worked through" to describe completing a process or overcoming a challenge, as in "The team "had worked through" all the initial obstacles and was ready to launch the project".
What are some alternatives to "had worked through"?
Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "had completed", "had resolved", or "had overcome".
Is it always necessary to specify what was "had worked through"?
While not always grammatically required, specifying what was "had worked through" provides clarity and context to the sentence. Otherwise, the reader may not fully understand what you're referring to.
What's the difference between "had worked through" and "had gone through"?
"Had worked through" implies a more active and effortful process of dealing with something, whereas "had gone through" simply suggests experiencing something, without necessarily implying resolution or completion.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested