we had signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we had signed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that an action of signing occurred before another action in the past. Example: "Before the meeting started, we had signed the contract to finalize the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

We knew what we had signed up for, but it was still tough.

The New York Times

Within a year, we had signed up many well-known retailers and were acquired by AOL.

The New York Times

"We had signed Aaliyah and were looking for someone to produce her new album," Kallman says.

The New York Times - Magazine

We'd have known this if we had signed onto the village Web site.

The New York Times

We had signed up to the European Convention on Human Rights 60 years ago.

The Guardian

Mrs. Rousseau sometimes felt that "we had signed up for one of those back-to-the-land kind of experiences".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

"We've signed to fight.

The New York Times - Sports

We've signed some fantastic players this summer.

The Guardian - Sport

"We've signed 50 players," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

We've signed treaties on this.

The New Yorker

This is, indeed, what we have signed up for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we had signed" to establish a past action that has implications on a subsequent event or decision being described. This helps create a timeline of events and clarifies the causal relationship between actions.

Common error

Avoid using "we had signed" when referring to a present or future action. This tense indicates a completed action in the past, not something currently happening or planned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we had signed" typically functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (signing) that was completed before another action or point in time in the past. Ludwig confirms this usage through multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we had signed" functions as a past perfect verb phrase used to indicate an action (signing) completed before another event in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and primarily used in news and media contexts to establish prior agreements or commitments. While generally neutral in register, it can be more formal depending on the context. Related phrases include "we had agreed to" and "we had committed to". Ensure accurate tense usage and context to effectively convey your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we had agreed to

Focuses on the act of reaching an agreement or consensus.

we had committed to

Emphasizes the act of pledging or dedicating oneself to something.

we had entered into

Highlights the beginning of a formal agreement or relationship.

we had contracted for

Specifies that a formal contract was created for a particular purpose.

we had arranged for

Indicates that arrangements or preparations were made.

we were party to

Highlights the involvement in an agreement or activity.

we had finalized

Emphasizes that the process of reaching an agreement was brought to an end.

we had formally approved

Highlights that a decision has been formally approved.

we had put our signatures to

Focuses on the literal act of signing a document.

we had closed the deal

Emphasizes that a deal was closed.

FAQs

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

Use "we had signed" to indicate that the action of signing something occurred before another action in the past. For example, "Before the meeting started, "we had signed" the contract to finalize the agreement."

What are some alternatives to using "we had signed"?

You can use alternatives such as "we had agreed to", "we had committed to", or "we had entered into" depending on the context.

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

The choice between "we have signed" and "we had signed" depends on the timeline of events. "We have signed" indicates a completed action with present relevance, while "we had signed" indicates a completed action before another point in the past.

What is the difference between "we had signed" and "we signed"?

"We signed" indicates a simple past action, while "we had signed" indicates that the signing occurred before another event in the past. For example, "We signed the contract yesterday" vs. "By the time the meeting started, "we had signed" the contract".