have erased

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have erased" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action of erasing has been completed at some point in the past and may have relevance to the present. Example: "I have erased all the unnecessary files from my computer to free up space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Maybe that would have erased the doubt.

The New York Times - Sports

Google will have erased them completely.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expressways and skyscrapers have erased cultural signposts.

The New York Times

I have erased it from my memory," she said.

The Guardian

The new library's deep foundations have erased all traces of the past for eternity.

The Economist

Even there, however, tectonic processes and the action of water have erased many ancient features.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If I could I would have erased it, wiped it clean.

The New Yorker

The renovations so far have erased earlier mistakes and leavened a bottom-line sensibility.

The New York Times

In abandoning my native language, I have erased myself from that memory.

The New Yorker

Now the Penguins have erased the Red Wings' 2-0 leandand have re-established momentum.

The New York Times - Sports

So hedging a foreign portfolio would have erased any currency-related gains that American investors enjoyed in Japanese shares.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have erased", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. If you mean a complete obliteration, "have wiped out" might be more appropriate. If you're referring to a reversal of an action, "have undone" could be a better choice.

Common error

Avoid using "have erased" when a milder term like "have removed" or "have cleared" would be more appropriate, especially in sensitive contexts where the stronger connotation of "erased" might be perceived negatively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have erased" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It describes an action of erasing that was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. Ludwig's examples show it being used to describe concrete actions like erasing data, as well as abstract concepts like erasing doubts or memories.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66.1%

Science

11.9%

Encyclopedias

3.4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3.4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have erased" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly employed to describe the completed action of removing or obliterating something, whether physically or conceptually. The usage spans various contexts, but it's most prevalent in News & Media. While its register is generally neutral, one should be mindful of the potential impact of its strong connotation and consider softer alternatives when appropriate. Remember to use "have erased" to convey that the act of removing or obliterating is finished and the result is evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have eliminated

Focuses on complete removal, often implying a systematic process.

have wiped out

Implies total destruction or obliteration.

have obliterated

Stresses the complete removal, leaving no trace.

have cancelled out

Emphasizes the neutralization of an effect or result.

have removed

A general term for taking something away.

have undone

Highlights the reversal of a previous action.

have negated

Focuses on rendering something ineffective or invalid.

have cleared

Suggests removing obstacles or unwanted elements.

have invalidated

Indicates that something is no longer valid or acceptable.

have nullified

Implies making something legally void or ineffective.

FAQs

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

You can use "have erased" to indicate that something has been completely removed or obliterated, as in "The new development plans "have erased" the old neighborhood's character".

What can I say instead of "have erased"?

You can use alternatives like "have eliminated", "have removed", or "have obliterated" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "have erased" or "had erased"?

"Have erased" is present perfect, indicating an action completed at some point before now, while "had erased" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the action in your sentence.

What is the difference between "have erased" and "have deleted"?

"Have erased" often implies a more complete or impactful removal, whereas "have deleted" typically refers to removing digital data. However, the choice depends on the context.