have climbed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have climbed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense to indicate that an action of climbing has occurred at some unspecified time in the past and may have relevance to the present. Example: "They have climbed the mountain several times this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Home values have climbed.

The New York Times

Stock prices have climbed.

The New York Times

"We have climbed the ladder.

Independent

Compliance officers' salaries have climbed.

The Economist

Property values have climbed.

The New York Times

We have climbed Everest.

The Guardian - Sport

Record sales have climbed for five years.

The New York Times - Tech

How many of you have climbed Masada?

Yale University

Steel prices have climbed steeply.

The New York Times

Health care costs have climbed sharply.

The New York Times

Some highpointers have climbed the wrong mountain.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have climbed", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the type of ascent, whether literal (mountains) or metaphorical (careers).

Common error

Avoid using "have climbed" when describing something that is inherently tall or high without the action of climbing. For instance, instead of saying "the tower has climbed high", use "the tower stands tall".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have climbed" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at some point in the past that has relevance to the present. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples where "have climbed" describes completed ascents, both literal and metaphorical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have climbed" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively communicates upward movement, progress, or achievement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and academic contexts. While alternatives like "have ascended" or "have risen" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to consider the context to avoid misusing the phrase in static descriptions. The frequency of "have climbed" and its appearance in authoritative sources underscore its importance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have ascended

Replaces "climbed" with a more formal synonym suggesting a gradual upward movement.

have scaled

Implies overcoming a significant obstacle or reaching a considerable height.

have risen

Indicates an increase in status, level, or amount, broadening the context beyond physical climbing.

have progressed

Focuses on the advancement or development aspect, suitable for abstract contexts.

have advanced

Similar to 'progressed', but can also imply moving forward in a strategic or planned manner.

have surmounted

Highlights overcoming a challenge or difficulty to reach a higher position or goal.

have conquered

Suggests a decisive victory or achievement after a struggle.

have achieved

Focuses on the successful completion of a goal, which may or may not involve upward movement.

have increased

Indicates a general rise in quantity or degree, applicable in various contexts.

have developed

Highlights the process of growth and improvement, often used in abstract contexts like skills or abilities.

FAQs

How is "have climbed" different from "have risen"?

"Have climbed" typically refers to a literal or metaphorical ascent, suggesting effort and progress, while "have risen" generally indicates an increase in level, amount, or status without necessarily implying active effort.

What are some alternatives to "have climbed" that imply difficulty?

If you want to emphasize the difficulty of the ascent, consider using phrases like "have scaled" or "have surmounted", which suggest overcoming significant obstacles.

Can "have climbed" be used in a business context?

Yes, "have climbed" can be used metaphorically in business contexts to describe progress or advancement. For example, "Sales have climbed significantly this quarter" or "She has climbed the corporate ladder quickly".

Is it correct to say "has climbed" instead of "have climbed"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has climbed" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has climbed the mountain"), and "have climbed" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have climbed the mountain") or the pronoun "I", "you", "we".