The family has gathered vs The family had gathered

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'The family has gathered' is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the gathering has recently taken place and has relevance to the present. 'The family had gathered' is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the gathering occurred before another past event. The choice between the two depends on the timeline of events being described.

Last updated: March 24, 2024

The family has gathered

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the gathering has recently taken place and has relevance to the present.

Examples:

The family has gathered for a reunion.
The family has gathered to celebrate the holidays.
The family has gathered to discuss important matters.
The family has gathered in the living room.
The family has gathered around the dining table.

Show examples from the web [+]

The entire royal family has gathered.
I see the whole family has been gathered here!
Rufus has gathered the family, darling.
Rufus has gathered the family, darling.
And so the family gathered to remember George Sr.
And so the family gathered in the courtroom... to announce their decision.
The family gathered at Lucille's to welcome and solicit UncleJack.
And so the family gathered in the courtroom... to announce their decision.
And so the family gathered for a celebratory brunch, catered by a local restaurant.
And so the family gathered at the model home... eager to hear their new publicist's plan.
The next day, the family gathered to welcome Buster home from the hospital.
I can't tell you what a joy it is to see the family gathered around the table like this.
And later, the family gathered at the courthouse to respond to the plea offer.
So, for the second time in two days, the family gathered at the hospital.
Reminds me of this time I was time-sharing in Tulum and the family was gathered around.
The family gathered at Lucille's to welcome and solicit UncleJack.
Marsh family gathered for another dinner.
That day the whole family gathered in this house - for the annual meeting.
It's great to see the whole family gathered together.
The whole idea of your loving family gathered in our house to give thanks gives me indigestion.

Alternatives:

The family is gathered
The family gathers
The family is gathering
The family gathered
The family will gather

The family had gathered

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is in the past perfect tense, indicating that the gathering occurred before another past event.

Examples:

The family had gathered before the storm hit.
By the time I arrived, the family had gathered in the garden.
The family had gathered for a special occasion.
Before the ceremony began, the family had gathered in the church.
The family had gathered around the fireplace.

Show examples from the web [+]

Michael Bluth and his family had gathered at the courthouse... to discuss George Sr.'s upcoming trial.
And so the family gathered to remember George Sr.
And so the family gathered in the courtroom... to announce their decision.
The family gathered at Lucille's to welcome and solicit UncleJack.
And so the family gathered in the courtroom... to announce their decision.
And so the family gathered for a celebratory brunch, catered by a local restaurant.
And so the family gathered at the model home... eager to hear their new publicist's plan.
The next day, the family gathered to welcome Buster home from the hospital.
I can't tell you what a joy it is to see the family gathered around the table like this.
And later, the family gathered at the courthouse to respond to the plea offer.
So, for the second time in two days, the family gathered at the hospital.
And my family and friends had gathered there to hear me speak.
Rufus has gathered the family, darling.
Reminds me of this time I was time-sharing in Tulum and the family was gathered around.
The family gathered at Lucille's to welcome and solicit UncleJack.
Marsh family gathered for another dinner.
That day the whole family gathered in this house - for the annual meeting.
It's great to see the whole family gathered together.
The whole idea of your loving family gathered in our house to give thanks gives me indigestion.
Camille and I are to have our family gathered around us.

Alternatives:

The family gathered
The family was gathered
The family would gather
The family used to gather
The family had been gathering

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The family has gathered vs The family had gathered