these had

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these had" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to multiple items or subjects that possessed a certain quality or characteristic in the past. Example: "These had been the best days of our lives, filled with laughter and adventure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These had potential.

Independent

These had been improving.

The Economist

These had now been rectified.

The Economist

These had some benign effects.

The Economist

These had been Plato's concerns also.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These had always been his friends.

The Economist

Snakes like these had turned up before.

The New Yorker

These had plenty of leisure time.

The Economist

Despite faults, these had great influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These had a long lineage.

The Guardian

These had a comforting sameness to them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "these had", ensure the context clearly establishes what "these" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For instance, begin a paragraph by introducing the items before stating what they possessed.

Common error

Avoid using "these had" without a clear antecedent for "these". Always make sure it's explicitly clear what "these" refers to in your sentence to prevent reader confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these had" functions primarily as a past perfect construction, indicating that a group of items or entities possessed a certain attribute or experienced a particular state before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms the correct and usable nature of this phrase, as showcased in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these had" serves as a grammatically sound past perfect construction, primarily used to establish a past state relevant to a subsequent event. As Ludwig AI points out, it is widely applicable, mostly in news, science and encyclopedias. While typically neutral to formal in register, ensuring clarity in the referent of "these" is crucial. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively utilize "these had" to enhance clarity and provide necessary context in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

those possessed

Replaces "these had" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing ownership or inherent quality.

these used to have

Employs a common idiom to convey past possession or characteristic, suitable for informal contexts.

those did have

Adds emphasis by using "did", suitable for contrasting or highlighting the past possession.

these previously held

Emphasizes the past state of holding something, whether physically or conceptually.

such items included

Offers a more descriptive substitute, specifying the items and their inclusion in a set or category.

those formerly owned

Highlights a previous state of ownership, useful in contexts where ownership has changed.

such things featured

Replaces with a more descriptive alternative, highlighting the presence or appearance of the items.

these at one time contained

Focuses on the contents or components that were present in the past.

that which they retained

Provides a more formal and emphatic alternative, underscoring what was kept or maintained.

items of that nature

Replaces the phrase with a more general descriptor, useful when the specific items are less important than their type.

FAQs

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

Use "these had" to indicate that multiple items or entities possessed something in the past. For example, "The old books were fascinating; "these had" belonged to a famous historian".

What are some alternatives to using "these had"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "those possessed", "these used to have", or "such items included".

Is there a difference between "these had" and "these have had"?

Yes, "these had" indicates a completed action or state in the past, while "these have had" implies a continuing relevance to the present. For example, "These had been good times" refers to a closed period, whereas "these have had a lasting impact" suggests a continuing effect.

When is it appropriate to use "these had" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you need to clearly indicate that multiple items or entities possessed something at a specific time in the past. Ensure the antecedent of "these" is unambiguous.