we have discussed vs we had discussed

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'We have discussed' is used to talk about something that has been recently talked about or is still relevant in the present. 'We had discussed' references a conversation that occurred in the past, frequently prior to a different event or time frame.

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Last updated: July 16, 2024

we have discussed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to something that has been recently talked about or is still relevant in the present.

Use 'we have discussed' when referring to a topic that has been recently talked about or is still relevant in the present.

Examples:

We have discussed the project timeline in our last meeting.
As we have discussed before, the budget needs to be revised.
I believe we have discussed this issue thoroughly.

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Clearly we have discussed those political issues with Kosovar representatives.
In connection with the Mediterranean region, we have discussed the option of establishing closer parliamentary cooperation as well.
So far we have discussed concrete measures to improve cooperation.
I would like to make a final observation regarding the Helms-Burton law which, Commissioner, we have discussed many times.
These are issues that we have discussed previously: how to supply the European Union with sufficient energy resources.
I can be brief in response to Mr García-Margallo y Marfil: we have discussed this before and we know exactly what the dossier is about.
Ladies and gentlemen, this week we have discussed China-Africa relations.
Mr Evans, we have discussed the matter with Vice-President Wallström.
Troy, we have discussed school policy on name-calling.
These are the problems that we have discussed.
It is true that we have discussed equality between men and women many times in this House.
Now today, in an isolated fashion, we have discussed and voted on a resolution on Turkey.
Now, so far we have discussed the reality that money is created out of debt through loans.
In many conversations with South Sudan's president, Salva Kiir, we have discussed setting out a short list of clear priorities for the new state.
Mr McCartin, we have discussed this subject until we are blue in the face. I cannot accept any more speakers on that subject.
Madam President, the report on Turkey's progress in 2010 is surely one of the most complex that we have discussed here.
I am referring specifically to the release of the two bloggers, Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli, whom we have discussed in this Chamber.
I fully agree with you that the instrument which we have discussed today is a very important one.
The EPA we have discussed today is only an interim arrangement to ensure that access to the EU market is not lost.
This week we have discussed several programmes of this type, e.g. Fiscalis, Karolus, etc.

Alternatives:

we talked about
we mentioned
we covered

we had discussed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to a discussion that took place in the past, often before another event or time frame.

Use 'we had discussed' when referring to a discussion that happened in the past, especially before another event or time frame.