control
verb (used with object)
had controlled
-
past perfectof control.past perfect
Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Police said they had "controlled access in areas we feel are security hotspots".
From Barron's ● Jan. 17, 2026
On July 1, the agency took over the process of assigning homeless people to roughly 5,000 of those beds, adding to 5,000 it already had controlled.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025
But the video assistant referee ruled out the goal, judging the Villa midfielder had controlled the ball with his hand.
From BBC ● Jan. 26, 2024
They were within range of the Russian forces who had controlled the dam and land across the Dnipro since the first days after the February 2022 full-scale invasion.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023
Then Percy had controlled the river and destroyed the gorgons.
From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan
