had wounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had wounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action of wounding occurred before another past action or time. Example: "By the time the paramedics arrived, the attacker had wounded several victims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We had wounded, we had dead.

The New Yorker

They had wounded Sgt. Kevin Rice and Spec.

The New York Times

It had wounded him, too, if the truth were known.

The New Yorker

Yet he had wounded himself, just like a tragic hero.

The Guardian

It later transpired it had wounded two children.

The Guardian

If I was true in my assessment, it mattered little, because I had wounded him.

The New Yorker

He played down the suggestion that federal regulations had wounded the local coal industry.

The New York Times

He said the blast had wounded 30 people, including Mr. Mohaqeq's guards.

The New York Times

She'd reproach me for getting the smallest scratch, as if I had wounded Musa himself.

The New Yorker

The fire and explosions that had wounded the Wasp were evident everywhere.

The New York Times - Magazine

Palestinians later reported that Israeli tank fire there had wounded five Palestinians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had wounded", ensure the context clearly establishes the sequence of events, emphasizing that the wounding occurred before another action or point in time. For example, "The soldiers had wounded the suspect before reinforcements arrived".

Common error

Avoid using "had wounded" when a simple past tense ("wounded") is sufficient. "Had wounded" is appropriate when indicating an action completed before another past action. If there's no need to emphasize the sequence, "wounded" is clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had wounded" functions as a past perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action of wounding that was completed before another action or time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage aligns with standard grammatical conventions and is prevalent across numerous reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had wounded" is a grammatically correct and frequently used past perfect verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it is typically employed to describe an act of wounding completed before another past action. Its usage is especially common in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When writing, ensure you use "had wounded" when the sequence of events is critical and that the wounding precedes another action. Alternatives such as "had injured" or "had harmed" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had injured

Replaces "wounded" with a more general term for physical harm.

had hurt

Uses a simpler term, "hurt", to convey the infliction of pain or injury.

had harmed

Substitutes "wounded" with a broader term for causing damage or injury, which can be physical or emotional.

had inflicted injuries on

Offers a more formal and descriptive way to express the action of causing wounds.

had caused trauma to

Focuses on the traumatic impact of the wounding, suitable when psychological effects are relevant.

had left bleeding

Highlights the physical consequence of the wounding, emphasizing the bleeding.

had shot and injured

Specifies the method of wounding, indicating that the injury was caused by a gunshot.

had struck and wounded

Combines the act of striking with the resulting wound, useful in describing an attack.

had physically assaulted

Shifts focus to the act of physical assault that resulted in wounds.

had left scarred

Emphasizes the long-term impact of the wound, indicating that it resulted in a scar.

FAQs

How is "had wounded" used in a sentence?

"Had wounded" is used to indicate that the act of wounding occurred before another action in the past. For example, "The hunter "had wounded" the animal before it escaped into the woods."

What are some alternatives to "had wounded"?

Alternatives include "had injured", "had harmed", or "had hurt". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of harm inflicted.

Which is correct, "had wounded" or "wounded"?

Both are correct, but they have different uses. "Wounded" is simple past tense. "Had wounded" is past perfect, which indicates an action completed before another past action. For example, "He "had wounded" his leg, so he couldn't run."

In what contexts is "had wounded" most appropriate?

"Had wounded" is suitable in contexts where it's important to establish that the wounding occurred before another event. This is common in narratives, news reports, and historical accounts. For example, "The rebels "had wounded" several soldiers before the ceasefire began."