have amused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have amused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has provided entertainment or enjoyment in the past and may still be relevant in the present. Example: "The comedian's jokes have amused the audience throughout the entire show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What did she do?" Which would have amused Bacon no end, for he and his friends found ceaseless amusement in the game of gender transference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The word must have amused you.

The New Yorker

Poisson is said to have amused herself disreputably.

The New Yorker

But it will have amused Hughes, out for 10, only fleetingly.

The Guardian - Sport

It must have amused market workers to see plain old fruit trays so elevated.

The New York Times - Arts

The irony of appearing alongside a world-class fantasist would have amused her.

The Guardian

That must have amused Harriet, who never gave a fig for seemliness.

The New York Times - Magazine

In Victoria's day, such self-advertisement might not have amused the queen.

The New York Times

They would surely have amused the hungry houseguests breakfasting on O'Neill's capacious terrace.

The New York Times

Daily Mail editorial Cameron and George Osborne have amused us enough with their risible charade.

The Guardian

It concluded: "Mr Cameron and George Osborne have amused us enough with their risible charade.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have amused" when you want to express that something or someone has provided lighthearted enjoyment or entertainment. Ensure the context aligns with a sense of mild pleasure rather than intense laughter or profound emotional response.

Common error

Avoid using "have amused" when describing situations that evoke strong emotions or reactions. For scenarios involving intense laughter, joy, or excitement, consider stronger verbs like "delighted", "thrilled", or "captivated" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have amused" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance or effect in the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and common. It's used to describe something or someone that has provided enjoyment or entertainment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have amused" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the act of providing lighthearted enjoyment or entertainment. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is well-received in various contexts, mainly within news and media, encyclopedias, and science. It functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action that began in the past and continues to have relevance. For alternative phrasings, consider options such as "have entertained" or "have delighted". When using "have amused", ensure the context aligns with a sense of mild pleasure rather than intense emotional responses. Avoid overstating the level of enjoyment. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "have amused" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have entertained

Replaces "amused" with a more general term for providing enjoyment.

have delighted

Suggests a higher degree of pleasure or satisfaction than "amused".

have pleased

Indicates satisfaction, but may not necessarily imply laughter or lightheartedness.

have charmed

Implies a more subtle or captivating form of amusement.

have tickled

Conveys a sense of lighthearted amusement or gentle humor.

have captivated

Implies holding someone's attention in an entertaining way.

have diverted

Suggests drawing attention away from something serious with something entertaining.

have tickled pink

An idiomatic expression indicating great amusement or delight.

have cracked up

Means caused to laugh a lot.

have convulsed with laughter

This alternative emphasizes intense amusement and laughter.

FAQs

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

You can use "have amused" to indicate that someone or something has provided enjoyment or entertainment, for example: "The comedian's jokes "have amused" the audience.".

What are some alternatives to "have amused"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have entertained", "have delighted", or "have pleased".

What's the difference between "have amused" and "have entertained"?

"Have amused" suggests a lighter, more playful form of enjoyment, while "have entertained" implies a broader range of engaging or pleasing activities. "Have entertained" is a more generic version of "have amused".

Is it correct to say "had amused" instead of "have amused"?

Yes, but the tense changes the meaning. "Had amused" refers to something that provided enjoyment in the past, before another point in the past. "Have amused" refers to something that provided enjoyment and may still be relevant.