we had built

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had built" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a construction or creation occurred before a certain point in the past. Example: "By the time the project was completed, we had built a strong foundation for our future endeavors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We had built up all this momentum".

The New York Times

"We had built it into our structure".

The Guardian - Business

We had built a recording studio in our basement.

The New Yorker

"A year ago, we had built only 150 cars.

The Guardian

He didn't even know we had built a bridge.

The New Yorker

We made several loops before realizing we had built up an appetite.

The New York Times - Travel

"We had built the largest conservatories the world had ever seen.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We've built them.

The New York Times

"We've built the infrastructure.

The New Yorker

"We've built the arena.

The New York Times

"We've built a bridge".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we had built" in a professional setting, ensure the context is clear and the accomplishment is quantifiable to demonstrate the team's capabilities.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense (e.g., "we built") when you need to emphasize that the action of building was completed before another event in the past. "We had built" provides a clearer timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had built" functions as a past perfect construction, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this temporal relationship, often highlighting accomplishments or completed projects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we had built" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in English to describe an action of building or creating completed before a specific time in the past. According to Ludwig, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. The key is to ensure the context clearly indicates the temporal relationship between the building action and another event. Using this phrase helps to establish a clear timeline and emphasize prior accomplishments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had constructed

Emphasizes the act of assembling or creating something complex.

we had created

Focuses on bringing something new into existence.

we had established

Highlights the act of setting something up on a firm or permanent basis.

we had developed

Suggests a gradual process of growth or advancement.

we had formed

Implies the creation of a group, organization, or structure.

we had assembled

Highlights bringing together component parts.

we had erected

Focuses on the act of raising a building or structure.

we had fabricated

Emphasizes the act of manufacturing something, often implying ingenuity.

we had put together

Informal way to express creating or assembling something.

we had pioneered

Focuses on initiating or developing something completely new.

FAQs

How can I use "we had built" in a sentence?

The phrase "we had built" is used to indicate that an action of building or creating was completed before a specific time in the past. For example, "By the time the new manager arrived, "we had built" a successful team."

What can I say instead of "we had built"?

You can use alternatives like "we had constructed", "we had created", or "we had established" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "we built" and "we had built"?

"We built" refers to a past action without specifying its relation to another event. "We had built", on the other hand, indicates that the building action was completed before another point in the past, emphasizing the sequence of events.

Is "we had built" formal or informal?

The phrase ""we had built"" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.