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.
Its powerful Revolutionary Guards have been stopping vessels trying to transit the trade route in recent days, including six that state television on Monday said had sailed outside Iran's designated route.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
The destroyer had sailed to the area alongside two other Chinese naval vessels and a Russian frigate, the ministry said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
What made the discourse even more ridiculous was that the ship had sailed long before.
From Salon ● Jun. 29, 2026
It had sailed some considerable distance by the time the fire was reported and it is assumed the crew deactivated its automatic identification system.
From BBC ● Mar. 4, 2026
The forklift king actually showed up for work the previous weekend and had sailed the blades through a stack of Apple boxes.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
