existed

USAGE SUMMARY

"existed" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to have had real physical being in the past, or to have had a type of being or reality at some time in the past. For example: "In the early days of the internet, few people existed who had any understanding of its potential."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When Len McCluskey of the giant Unite trade union weighed into Ed Miliband and Ed Balls over their modest recalibration of Labour's economic policy he was embracing a fine old tradition which has existed for most of the century of their co-existence: feuding in public between Labour and the TUC.

The Guardian

The editor of the Guardian, Alan Rusbridger, had earlier informed government officials that other copies of the files existed outside the country and that the Guardian was neither the sole recipient nor steward of the files leaked by Snowden, a former NSA contractor.

The Guardian

Two anomalies have long existed in the upper echelons of golf.

The Guardian - Sport

"When I came to this country, I realised what did not exist, and had existed then: music in the air, and a level of culture among the people you wouldn't get nowadays.

The Guardian - Music

Clinton appeared to contradict herself at one point, admitting that some 30,000 emails from her tenure at Foggy Bottom that she had deemed personal no longer existed.

The Guardian

It was the first time the government had admitted the boat existed, after Morrison and Abbott repeatedly refused to comment on its whereabouts.

The Guardian

Bridges' quick feet and quicker mind allowed him to size up situations before defenders even knew that they existed, able to calculate exactly what needed to be done to get the ball into the net whether the ball was at his feet or someone else's.

The Guardian - Sport

Specifically to a land that the rest of Ireland has almost forgotten ever existed; to an Arcadia where there is prosperity, jobs, optimism, hope.

The Guardian

Everyone went about their lives as though he had never existed.

The Guardian

The entire incident was wiped from my record when I was 16, so it hadn't even existed in a legal sense, and if I never mentioned it again, it would never come up.

The Guardian

Glastonbury is a place full of weird, forgotten subcultures that you didn't realise still existed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "existed" to clearly indicate that something had a real or recognized presence in the past, whether physical, conceptual, or legal.

Common error

Avoid using "existed" when you mean "exists". "Existed" refers to something that was real or present in the past, while "exists" refers to something that is real or present now. Use the correct tense to accurately convey the timeframe you're discussing.

Linguistic Context

The word "existed" functions primarily as a verb in the past tense. As Ludwig AI states, it denotes a state of being or a reality that was present at some point in the past. This is evident across numerous examples where it indicates the past presence of entities, conditions, or phenomena.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "existed" is a common verb used to denote the past presence or reality of something. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register allows for use in various contexts, from formal writing to casual conversation. While generally straightforward, it's important to avoid confusion with the present tense form "exists". The prevalence of "existed" in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times underscores its widespread use in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was in existence

Rephrases "existed" using a more formal and descriptive tone.

had being

Expresses the concept of existence in a slightly more philosophical or abstract manner.

was present

Highlights the presence of something at a particular time or place.

occurred

Focuses on the happening or taking place of something, rather than its state of being.

happened

Similar to "occurred", but generally used for more specific events or incidents.

prevailed

Implies a dominance or widespread presence over a period of time.

was around

An informal way to indicate that something existed or was available.

was the case

Indicates that a particular situation or condition was true or valid.

held true

Suggests that something remained valid or accurate over a certain period.

was in effect

Indicates that a law, rule, or system was operational or being implemented.

FAQs

How do I use "existed" in a sentence?

"Existed" is the past tense of "exist". Use it to describe something that was present or real in the past but may not be anymore. For example, "A great civilization "existed" in that region centuries ago."

What are some alternatives to the word "existed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was present", "occurred", or "happened" instead of "existed".

Is it correct to say "existed" in the present tense?

No, "existed" is the past tense of "exist". To use it in the present tense, you should use "exists".

What is the difference between "existed" and "existed before"?

"Existed" simply indicates something was present in the past. "Existed before" implies that something was present at an earlier time, possibly relative to something else. For example, "That law "existed" for 50 years" versus "That law existed before the new regulations were introduced."