have described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have described" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has provided a description or account of something in the past, often with relevance to the present. Example: "In previous studies, researchers have described the effects of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have described Thatcher as a friend.

Independent

Others have described similar efforts.

The New York Times

We now basically have described economic equilibrium.

Yale University

Former prisoners have described mass hangings.

The Washington Post

The children have described their dream school.

The Guardian

We have described the permutation procedure above.

Nature

Some have described Terry as "fearless ".

The Guardian

"People have described it as a dacha".

The New York Times

You have described the Taliban as vermin.

The New York Times - Magazine

Police have described him as dangerous.

The Guardian

How would she have described herself?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have described" when you want to refer to previous accounts or depictions of something, ensuring you cite the source if necessary.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions with "have described". Consider active voice alternatives to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The effects have been described by researchers", try "Researchers have described the effects".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have described" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating a completed action with continuing relevance. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have described" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to reference prior descriptions or accounts. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's prevalent across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While it's considered grammatically correct, remember to avoid overusing the passive voice and consider stronger, more direct alternatives where appropriate. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively incorporate "have described" into your writing to enhance clarity and provide valuable context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have characterized

Focuses on defining qualities or attributes.

have portrayed

Emphasizes a particular representation or image.

have depicted

Highlights a visual or artistic representation.

have defined

Stresses the act of setting out a clear meaning or scope.

have explained

Focuses on making something understandable.

have recounted

Suggests a narrative or retelling of events.

have illustrated

Emphasizes providing examples or visual aids.

have outlined

Highlights the presentation of main features or points.

have specified

Focuses on providing detailed and precise information.

have cataloged

Highlights a systematic listing or classification.

FAQs

What does "have described" mean?

The phrase "have described" indicates that someone has provided a description or account of something in the past, typically with relevance to the present context.

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

You can use "have described" to refer to previous accounts or characterizations, such as, "Researchers "have described" the phenomenon in detail in their earlier studies".

What are some alternatives to "have described"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "have characterized", "have portrayed", or "have defined".

Is it better to use "have described" or "described"?

Using "have described" implies that the description happened at an unspecified time in the past and is still relevant. "Described" alone might refer to a specific instance or a completed action without ongoing relevance.