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.
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
Denmark's freight giant Maersk said one of its ships had sailed through the Strait of Hormuz under US escort, adding the transit was completed "without incident".
From Barron's ● May 5, 2026
Woolas admitted one of his election leaflets had "sailed very close to the wind" and sought to challenge the court's decision, but was unsuccessful.
From BBC ● Mar. 14, 2026
Together, the sisters had sailed out over the creek on a tire swing tied to a fat tree limb by a knotted fist of rope.
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
