as they existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state or condition of something in its original or current form. Example: "The artifacts were preserved in the museum as they existed in their historical context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"We didn't necessarily just take them as they existed, we did work on them," Mr. Ruiz said.

The New York Times

When President Bill Clinton left office, the National Archives preserved snapshots of agency Web sites as they existed on or just before Jan . 20 , 2001

The New York Times

Welch and Johnson have long maintained that they did nothing illegal and that they were only following the rules of Olympic bidding as they existed at the time.

The New York Times - Sports

Cristina and Elise's pitch marks may not be repaired as they existed before Elise's ball came to rest and were not on the green.

The New York Times

Sorry"… It seems to have been accepted quite meekly that the art colleges, as they existed in this country, are just going to disappear.

The Guardian - Music

The Dothraki of more closely resemble the warlike ancient Mongols, as they existed under Genghis Khan who extended the Mongol empire from China to western Russia combined with elements of Native American culture, particularly their somewhat decentralized form of rule.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

As long as they exist there will be blood".

The New Yorker

The differences, as they exist, are relatively minor.

The New York Times

Boroughs exist in the mind as much as they exist on maps.

The New York Times

"Carbon markets will exist [in future] but certainly not as they exist today," he said.

The Guardian

"I think councillors are following the rules as they exist at the moment.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they existed" to clearly specify a past state, especially when contrasting it with the present or a changed condition. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides historical context.

Common error

Avoid using "as they existed" when referring to the current state of something. This phrase is specifically for past conditions; use "as they exist" for the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they existed" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It provides temporal context, specifying that the action or state being described occurred under the conditions or in the manner that something was in the past. Ludwig confirms its widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as they existed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used adverbial phrase that serves to provide historical context and describe past conditions. Ludwig AI confirms this. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. While it can appear in informal settings, it's generally considered neutral to formal. When writing, remember that "as they existed" refers to the past, and using it in present contexts would be incorrect. Alternatives like "in their original state" or "at that time" can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as they were then

Focuses on a comparison between a past state and the present.

in their original state

Emphasizes the unchanged condition from an earlier time.

in the state they were in

A more descriptive way of referring to a previous condition.

in their previous form

Focuses on a prior configuration or structure.

in their former condition

Highlights a previous state, often implying a change has occurred.

in their historical context

Emphasizes the historical circumstances surrounding something.

at that time

Refers to a specific point in the past, focusing on temporality.

at that stage

Highlights a specific phase or point in a process or development.

in the past

A more general reference to a previous period.

back then

A more informal way to refer to a time in the past.

FAQs

How can I use "as they existed" in a sentence?

Use "as they existed" to describe how something was in the past, especially when comparing it to its current state. For example, "The laws were interpreted "as they existed" in 1975."

What is a good alternative to "as they existed"?

Alternatives include "in their original state", "in their former condition", or "at that time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "as they existed" and "as they exist"?

"As they existed" refers to something in the past, while "as they exist" refers to the current state. The former is for historical contexts, the latter for present conditions.

Is it correct to use "as they existed" when referring to something that no longer exists?

Yes, it's perfectly correct. It is often used to describe things that were present in the past but are no longer around. For example, "The dinosaurs roamed the earth "as they existed" millions of years ago."