they had eliminated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they had eliminated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific action of removal or eradication occurred in the past, often in a context where the timing is relevant to another past event. Example: "After reviewing the data, they had eliminated several options that were not feasible for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They had eliminated the powerful Nickell team in the semifinal.

The New York Times - Arts

Company officials said they had eliminated traditional pension plans for all salaried workers hired since 2006.

The New York Times

The police claimed they had eliminated two terrorists who had fired at them.

The Guardian

They said the declaration would show how they had eliminated weapons they had in the past.

The New York Times

Last summer, Fermilab physicists announced that they had eliminated the region between 158 billion and 175 billion electron volts.

The New York Times - Science

Executives announced that all together, they had eliminated about 470 jobs since the beginning of December through layoffs and attrition.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"They have eliminated segregation," Reagan told radio station WSB in Atlanta.

The New Yorker

In the playoffs, they may meet the Mariners, a team they have eliminated the last two years.

The New York Times - Sports

They have eliminated waiting periods, simplified application and income verification procedures, and provided translators to immigrants.

The New York Times - Health

They've eliminated the Loren Roberts- and Corey Pavin-type players".

The New York Times - Sports

Those changes are a pain in the neck, and they've eliminated that for me".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you are using "they had eliminated" and it feels repetitive, consider more nuanced vocabulary like "eradicated", "removed" or "nullified" to add precision and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

A common error is using "they had eliminated" without a clear reference to who "they" are. Always ensure the subject is explicitly mentioned earlier in the text or is immediately obvious to the reader to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they had eliminated" functions as a verbal phrase in the past perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, demonstrating its use to indicate a completed action before a specific point in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they had eliminated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression in English. Ludwig AI confirms that it's used to indicate a completed action in the past before another event. As the examples show, its usage spans across different contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure that the subject, "they", is clearly defined for clarity. Consider alternatives like "they had removed" or "they had eradicated" for nuanced meanings. Overall, "they had eliminated" is a versatile phrase that is valuable in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they had removed

Focuses on the act of taking something away, rather than necessarily destroying it.

they had eradicated

Implies a more thorough and complete removal, suggesting that something is gone permanently.

they had gotten rid of

A more informal way of saying they eliminated, suitable for casual contexts.

they had taken out

Can imply both physical removal and the elimination of a competitor or threat.

they had dispensed with

Suggests that something was deemed unnecessary or no longer useful.

they had abolished

Specifically used for the elimination of rules, systems, or practices.

they had canceled

Implies stopping or ending an event, agreement, or plan.

they had nullified

Indicates that something was made invalid or ineffective.

they had wiped out

Implies a complete and often destructive removal.

they had done away with

An idiomatic expression for eliminating or getting rid of something, often something undesirable.

FAQs

What does "they had eliminated" mean?

The phrase "they had eliminated" means that a group of people or entities had completely removed or gotten rid of something by a certain point in the past.

What are some alternatives to saying "they had eliminated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "they had removed", "they had eradicated", or "they had gotten rid of".

Is it grammatically correct to say "they had eliminated"?

Yes, "they had eliminated" is grammatically correct. It uses the past perfect tense, indicating that the action of eliminating was completed before another point in time in the past.

What's the difference between "they eliminated" and "they had eliminated"?

"They eliminated" is in the simple past tense, while "they had eliminated" is in the past perfect tense. The past perfect is used to show that the action of eliminating happened before another action in the past. For example: "They celebrated after "they had eliminated" all the competition."