have applied for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have applied for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has submitted an application for something, such as a job, a program, or a grant. Example: "I have applied for the scholarship to further my studies in environmental science."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Nearly all have applied for them.

The New York Times - Sports

Sixteen more have applied for licences.

The Economist

Eleven states have applied for the waivers.

The New York Times

I have applied for the permanent position.

The New York Times - Magazine

Roughly 100,000 people have applied for them.

The Economist

I should have applied for that fellowship at Harvard.

The New Yorker

So far, 800 people have applied for spaces.

The New York Times

Nearly 6,000 journalists have applied for accreditation.

The Guardian

He is reported to have applied for political asylum here.

The Guardian - Sport

More than 130,000 households have applied for federal relief.

The Guardian

I think I should have applied for more.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have applied for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the application pertains to. Be specific about the position, program, or opportunity being sought to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using past simple tense ("applied for") when the time frame is still relevant or ongoing. Use "have applied for" to indicate that the application was made and is still under consideration or has ongoing implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have applied for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone has taken the action of formally requesting or seeking something. Ludwig shows numerous examples across different contexts, reinforcing its broad applicability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have applied for" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that someone has formally requested something, such as a job, a grant, or admission to a program. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Alternatives like "have submitted an application for" and "have put in for" offer slight variations in formality and emphasis. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the object of the application to avoid ambiguity. A common error to avoid is using the past simple tense ("applied for") when the action has ongoing relevance; "have applied for" implies relevance to the present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have submitted an application for

Focuses on the act of submitting a formal request, emphasizing the completion of the application process.

have made an application

Focuses on the creation and submission of the application itself.

have put in for

A more informal way of saying "have applied for", often used in colloquial contexts.

have registered for

Specifically used when applying for courses, events, or programs requiring registration.

have filed for

Often used in legal or official contexts, such as filing for bankruptcy or patents.

have sought

A more formal and general way of saying "have applied for", implying an active pursuit.

have bid for

Implies a competitive application, such as bidding for a contract or project.

have requested

Emphasizes the act of making a request, which can be less formal than a full application.

have canvassed for

Used specifically when seeking support or votes, often in political contexts.

have approached

A more general term indicating an initial step toward applying or requesting something.

FAQs

How is "have applied for" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have applied for" indicates that someone has submitted an application. For example, "I "have applied for" the job" means you submitted an application for the job.

What are some alternatives to "have applied for"?

You can use alternatives such as "have submitted an application for", "have put in for", or "have requested", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "have applied for" and "applied for"?

"Have applied for" (present perfect) indicates an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that is relevant to the present. "Applied for" (simple past) refers to a completed action in the past with no direct connection to the present.

Is it correct to say "I have applied for and been accepted"?

Yes, "I "have applied for" and been accepted" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate the application process and the subsequent acceptance.