we had given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had given" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an action that was completed before another action in the past, often in the context of past perfect tense. Example: "By the time the meeting started, we had given our presentations to the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We had given him our trust".

The New York Times

We had given our puppy unnecessary surgery.

The New York Times

We had given AM sentience.

The Guardian - Books

We had given concerts almost every evening.

The Guardian

But what if we had given them $500?

The New York Times

What we had given could never be taken away.

The Guardian

"We had given up hope of ever finding it".

The New York Times - Books

"At least we had given you an adventure.

The New York Times - Magazine

We had given him a refund for something.

The New York Times

"I think we had given adequate indications of that to the Council.

The New York Times

"They were saying things that validated what we had given them to say".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we had given" to clearly establish that an action of giving occurred before another event in the past. This helps maintain chronological order in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "we had given" when a simple past tense ("we gave") is sufficient. "We had given" should only be used when referring to an action completed before another action in the past. For example, use "We gave the presentation yesterday" instead of "We had given the presentation yesterday" if there's no other past action you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had given" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of giving that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we had given" is a grammatically sound and frequently used past perfect verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It serves to establish a clear sequence of past events, emphasizing that the action of giving occurred prior to another event. Its register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for diverse contexts ranging from news reports to personal narratives. Remember to use it when you need to specify that one action happened before another in the past. When a simple past tense is enough, avoid using "we had given".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we provided

Replaces "given" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the act of supplying something.

we offered

Suggests a more voluntary act of providing something, emphasizing willingness.

we supplied

Implies providing something necessary or essential.

we furnished

Suggests providing something to equip or outfit.

we contributed

Emphasizes the act of giving as part of a larger effort or cause.

we granted

Suggests giving permission or bestowing a right or privilege.

we bestowed

Implies giving something as an honor or gift.

we imparted

Focuses on giving knowledge or information.

we presented

Highlights the act of formally giving or offering something.

we extended

Suggests offering something, such as help or sympathy.

FAQs

How to use "we had given" in a sentence?

"We had given" is used to describe an action of giving that was completed before another action in the past. For instance, "We had given our report before the deadline arrived."

What's the difference between "we gave" and "we had given"?

"We gave" refers to a simple past action, while "we had given" indicates a past action completed before another past action. For example, "We gave the money yesterday" vs. "We had given the money before they asked for it".

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we provided", "we offered", or "we supplied" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "we have given" instead of "we had given"?

"We have given" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at some point in the past that is relevant to the present. "We had given" is past perfect and refers to an action completed before another action in the past. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning and context.