had them executed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had them executed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of carrying out a death sentence or referring to a historical or fictional scenario involving capital punishment. Example: "The king was ruthless and had them executed for treason against the crown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps Khomeini would also have had them executed.

The New York Times - Books

He arrived on August 23, 1500, and was greeted by the sight of seven Spaniards dangling from a gallows; Columbus had had them executed for plotting against him.

The New Yorker

When strategies urged by Mr. Hussein failed, he often accused the commanders of betrayal, cowardice and incompetence and had them executed.

The New York Times

Zawahiri convened an Islamic court, put the boys on trial for treason, convicted them, and had them executed, to make an example of them.

The New Yorker

Clodius then passed two laws which banished Cicero, on the grounds that he had deprived several of Catiline's conspirators of their due process (provocatio) rights when he had them executed upon a mere decree of the senate.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The man had measured the length of their arms; checked with calipers the thickness of the skin below their eyebrows; had them execute the standing broad jump and a complex version of hopscotch.

The New Yorker

Two prominent defectors from Unita accused Mr Savimbi of having them executed; Mr Savimbi accused the defectors of killing them.

Independent

As a lesser monk cheerfully explains to him, the order never sheds blood – after the rats have caused his death, the abbot will try them and have them executed in turn, by cat.

The Guardian - Books

As unionist politics among Norway, Denmark and Sweden raged, King Christian II proceeded to do away with his antiunionist Swedish adversaries by calling them all together in this square under the guise of amnesty and having them executed on the spot.

The New York Times - Travel

If evildoers have these traits, and thus will continue to perform evil actions no matter what we do, the only appropriate response might be to isolate them from society or to have them executed.

SEP

In "Precipice", the Cylons respond to the suicide attack in the previous episode by rounding up several civilians believed to be affiliated with the resistance, and later decide to have them executed.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had them executed", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the order and for what reason, as it carries a strong connotation of authority and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "had them executed" in informal or casual conversations. This phrase is typically reserved for serious discussions of historical events, legal proceedings, or dramatic narratives.

Linguistic Context

Transitive verbal phrase indicating that someone caused the execution of others. Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe historical events or scenarios involving capital punishment. For example, 'Columbus had them executed for plotting against him'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "had them executed" is used to indicate that someone in a position of authority ordered the execution of others. Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically correct. It is most commonly found in news, encyclopedias and media sources, frequently used to describe historical events or legal scenarios. While the phrase itself is direct, it should be used cautiously in casual contexts due to its serious implications. Alternatives include "ordered their execution" or "had them put to death".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ordered their execution

Emphasizes the act of giving an official order.

had them put to death

A more direct and explicit way of saying they were killed.

decreed their execution

Implies a formal and authoritative declaration.

condemned them to death

Highlights the judgment process leading to the execution.

sentenced them to die

Focuses on the judicial decision.

inflicted capital punishment upon them

A formal and legalistic expression.

exacted the death penalty on them

Stresses the act of imposing the ultimate punishment.

terminated their lives

A more euphemistic way of stating they were killed.

eliminated them

Implies removal or getting rid of someone.

liquidated them

Suggests a calculated and often secretive killing.

FAQs

What does "had them executed" mean?

The phrase "had them executed" means that someone in a position of power ordered the execution of a group of people. It implies authority and the carrying out of a death sentence.

Are there less formal ways to say "had them executed"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use less formal alternatives such as "had them killed", "ordered them killed", or "had them eliminated". However, these alternatives may not carry the same specific connotation of a formal execution.

How to use "had them executed" in a sentence?

You can use "had them executed" in a sentence like: "The king, fearing a rebellion, "ordered their execution"" or "Columbus had some of his men executed for plotting against him".

What is the difference between "had them executed" and "executed them"?

"Executed them" means someone directly carried out the execution. "Had them executed" implies that someone else ordered the execution to be carried out, rather than doing it themselves.