Used to express a completed action that took place before another specific past action occurred.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Saka had nailed down his place on the right side of the attack for both club and country prior to an injury-hit 14 months.
From Barron's ● Feb. 17, 2026
I just wish I had nailed the masa balls.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2024
“I was thrilled that they finally had nailed this guy,” Auletta says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 11, 2022
Her windows were among the few that withstood the blasts — protected by the wood her son had nailed in shortly after the war began.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 23, 2022
Her sons had nailed plywood sheets to the windows and along the front of her house, so that the only way in was the back door leading to the latrine, barn, and pigsty.
From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago
