it had already happened

USAGE SUMMARY

"it had already happened" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to refer to something that has occurred in the past, usually something that happened unexpectedly or in an undesired way. For example, "We were hoping for a different outcome, but it had already happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

It had already happened".

The Guardian - Books

"When I phoned, it had already happened.

The New Yorker

In his imagination it had already happened.

The New York Times - Magazine

But in a sense, I say, it had already happened.

The Guardian - Film

It wasn't strange because it had already happened and so it was conceivable.

The New Yorker

She felt this complete sense of calm as if it had already happened, no crowd, no distraction.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

… It has already happened".

The New York Times

But it has already happened.

Independent

It has already happened at least once.

The New York Times

Oh look, it has already happened.

The Guardian

It has already happened on British TV.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context and choose the most appropriate alternative when the core idea is to state that something is irreversible, complete, or just to indicate that has come to an end.

Common error

Avoid using "it had already happened" when the simple past tense is sufficient. The past perfect tense (had + past participle) is necessary only when referring to an action completed before another action in the past. Otherwise, use "it happened."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it had already happened" functions as a statement of fact in the past, using the past perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms the expression denotes completion before another past action, emphasizing the timing of an event. It is commonly found in narratives and explanations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it had already happened" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It is best used to indicate that an event occurred before another event in the past, providing context or emphasizing the timing. While versatile across various registers, it is most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, ensure the use of the past perfect tense is appropriate for the context. If the use of past perfect is unnecessary, prefer use of the past simple "it happened".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a fait accompli

Emphasizes that the event is irreversible and complete.

the die was cast

Highlights that a decision has been made, and the consequences are unfolding.

it was all over but the shouting

Indicates the main event is finished, with only minor details remaining.

the matter was settled

Focuses on the resolution or conclusion of an issue.

it had come to pass

A more formal way of saying something happened, often with a sense of inevitability.

what's done is done

Highlights the futility of dwelling on past actions and encourages acceptance.

the ship had sailed

Emphasizes that an opportunity has been missed and is no longer available.

it was a foregone conclusion

Suggests the outcome was predictable or inevitable from the beginning.

the moment had passed

Focuses on the specific point in time when something could have happened, but didn't.

events had transpired

A formal way of saying that a series of events took place, often implying complexity.

FAQs

How do I use "it had already happened" correctly in a sentence?

Use "it had already happened" to indicate that an event occurred before another event in the past. For example, "By the time the police arrived, "it had already happened"."

What's a more formal alternative to "it had already happened"?

A more formal alternative could be "it had come to pass", which implies a sense of inevitability or destiny.

How does "it had already happened" differ from "it already happened"?

"It had already happened" uses the past perfect tense, indicating the event occurred before another point in the past. "It already happened" uses the simple past, stating the event occurred at some point in the past without relating it to another event. For instance: "I was not surprised when it already happened because "it had already happened" many times before".

When is it incorrect to use "it had already happened"?

It's incorrect to use "it had already happened" when simply stating that something occurred in the past without relating it to another past event. In such cases, use the simple past tense: "It happened."