It has happened before vs It had happened before

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'It has happened before' is used to talk about something that occurred at an unspecified time in the past, with a connection to the present. 'It had happened before' is used to refer to an event that took place before another past event. The choice between 'has' and 'had' depends on the timeline of the events being discussed.

Last updated: April 10, 2024 • 1153 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It has happened before"

This phrase is used to refer to something that occurred at an unspecified time in the past, with a connection to the present.

Examples:

It has happened before, so we need to be prepared this time.
I can't believe it has happened before in this exact same way.

Show examples from the web [+]

Hi, I have a questions, Is this sentence grammatically wrong? "It has happened before"... or is it better to say "It had happened before"...
May 4, 2020 ... It has happened before. By Rob Picheta, CNN. Updated 3:33 AM EDT, Mon May 4, ...
Oct 29, 2021 ... Outer Banks wild horse dies after drinking contaminated water. It has happened before. By Mark Price. Updated November 01, 2021 6:06 AM.
From Soho Revue, Kristy M. Chan, It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now (pynchon) (2022), Oil, oil bar and thread on polyester o…
It has happened before, but there is nothing to compare it to now. “Mark Bradford is an artist who incorporates ephemera from urban environments into ...
Oct 31, 2017 ... Matthew Stafford's 400-yard, no-touchdown game? It has happened before ... ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Once Matthew Stafford had reached the red zone on ...

Alternatives:

It happened before
It has occurred before

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"It had happened before"

This phrase is used to refer to an event that took place before another past event. It is often used in the context of storytelling or recounting past events.

Examples:

By the time I arrived, it had happened before.
She realized it had happened before when she saw the familiar scene.

Show examples from the web [+]

Hi, I have a questions, Is this sentence grammatically wrong? "It has happened before"... or is it better to say "It had happened before"...
Oct 1, 2014 ... It had happened before. The Million Dollar Homepage was a 2005 experiment by a British college student. He offered to sell individual pixels ...
Aug 19, 2021 ... “It had happened before, so I didn't think anything of it at first,” said Besch. “Later that night, I had pain in my hip, and by two a.m., ...

Alternatives:

It had occurred before
It had happened previously

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

It has happened before vs It had happened before