categorically have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "categorically have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong assertion or belief about possession or existence of something. Example: "I categorically have no doubt that this decision is the right one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

There's nothing set in stone that you absolutely, categorically have to move the guy.

The New York Times - Sports

Morgan welcomes the foundation guide which he says would "categorically" have been helpful when he was starting up his business.

The Guardian

How: Unless you absolutely categorically have a reason not to … What: Software like LastPass (free) or 1Password ($2.99/month or $49), which will store your passwords, generate secure random ones for you, and sync them across multiple devices.

The Guardian - Tech

Additionally, it brings up the points that the AR-15 is of the most popular rife in the United States, and that the Supreme Court noted in Staples v. United States that these guns don't categorically have a "quasi-suspect character" like machine guns, sawed-up shotguns, or artillery pieces.

Vice

The physiological foundations of the categorical effect in high-level vision remain elusive: others have pointed out that the "mechanisms by which faces are perceived categorically have yet to be adequately accounted for by any theoretical approach" [46].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"I said that we categorically had done everything, barring moving in to her residence with her".

The New York Times

By contrast, the singer Shakira wrote in a Twitter message last week that she categorically had nothing to do with the event.

The New York Times

"The development of the fault categorically had nothing to do with volcanic ash and whilst there were no customers on board, at no point were our crew or the aircraft in any danger," a Thomas Cook spokeswoman told me yesterday.

The Guardian

The development of the fault categorically had nothing to do with volcanic ash and whilst there were no customers on board, at no point were our crew or the aircraft in any danger.

The Guardian

While some differences in preferences according to age are apparent, these are not systematic enough across all service attributes to suggest that younger respondents categorically had different preferences.

Health Economics Review

"Now let me also say categorically: I have paid taxes every year, and a lot of taxes, a lot of taxes," Mr. Romney added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "categorically have" when you want to emphasize the certainty or lack of ambiguity regarding a statement. It adds weight and authority to your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "categorically have" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious in settings where simplicity and directness are preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categorically have" functions as an emphatic affirmation. It combines the adverb "categorically" to strengthen the verb "have", indicating a strong, unambiguous assertion of possession, existence, or experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples showing its application in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "categorically have" is a phrase used to express a strong affirmation or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, but relatively rare, primarily appearing in news media and scientific contexts. While "categorically have" effectively conveys certainty, it's best reserved for formal settings to avoid sounding pretentious. Alternatives like "absolutely have" or "definitely have" may be more appropriate in less formal situations. Remember, the key is to align your language with the context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely have

Emphasizes the necessity or obligation of having something.

definitely have

Indicates a clear and certain possession or experience.

unequivocally have

Suggests there is no doubt or reservation about possessing something.

expressly have

Highlights that something is explicitly stated or acknowledged to be possessed.

explicitly have

Indicates clear and direct possession or experience, leaving no room for ambiguity.

positively have

Affirms the certainty of possessing or experiencing something.

without question have

States that there is no doubt about possessing something.

conclusively have

Indicates that possession or experience has been definitively proven or established.

formally have

Highlights that possession or experience has been officially recognized or acknowledged.

authoritatively have

Implies possession or experience is backed by authority or expertise.

FAQs

How can I use "categorically have" in a sentence?

Use "categorically have" to strongly affirm a condition or possession. For example: "I "categorically have" no doubt about his innocence."

What phrases can replace "categorically have"?

Alternatives include phrases like "absolutely have", "definitely have", or "unequivocally have". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "categorically have"?

While grammatically correct, "categorically have" is quite formal and not suited to all contexts. Use it when you want to make a very strong statement and formality is appropriate.

What is the difference between "categorically have" and "definitely have"?

"Categorically have" suggests an even stronger level of certainty and formality than "definitely have". The former is best used when you want to eliminate any possibility of doubt.