have ever held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have ever held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to experiences or possessions that have occurred at any time up to the present moment. Example: "I have ever held a position of leadership in my career, which has shaped my professional development."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

How many have ever held a job?

The Guardian

None have ever held elected public office on their own.

The New York Times

You aren't obliged to list every single job you have ever held.

The New York Times

To become an umpire you don't need to have ever held a racket.

The Guardian - Money

In all, just 35 women have ever held the office in any state.

The Washington Post

Neither I nor my colleague Mr MacKinnon have ever held board positions at this company".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

No court has ever held anybody accountable for that.

The Economist

This election is the most complicated Kenya has ever held.

The New York Times

No girl had ever held the job before.

The Washington Post

Surely no one has ever held a basketball that way.

The New Yorker

No marine has ever held the chairman's job.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing past experiences or qualifications, use "have ever held" to indicate that you possessed a certain skill, position, or belief at any time in your past. This shows breadth of experience without specifying a particular timeframe.

Common error

While "have ever held" is grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound informal. In formal or academic writing, consider using more precise language that specifies when and for how long you held a particular position or belief for enhanced clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have ever held" functions as a present perfect tense construction, indicating an action or state of holding that occurred at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have ever held" is a grammatically sound and usable construction, albeit less frequently encountered, that effectively conveys the idea of past experience or possession without specifying a particular timeframe. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, though formal writing might benefit from more precise language. Remember to use it when emphasizing that the action of holding has occurred at least once in the subject's lifetime. When considering alternatives, options like "have previously possessed" or "have at any time occupied" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have at some stage owned

Emphasizes ownership at any point in the past, providing a clear and simple alternative.

have previously possessed

Replaces "ever held" with a more formal term for ownership or incumbency.

have at any time occupied

Emphasizes the duration of occupancy or tenure, making it suitable for formal contexts.

have once maintained

Highlights the act of keeping or upholding something in the past.

have temporarily possessed

Highlights the transient nature of the holding, useful for short-term ownership or positions.

have formerly retained

Suggests a more official or legal holding, suitable for describing past positions or titles.

have before administered

Implies a role of management or governance, suitable for describing past responsibilities.

have in the past controlled

Focuses on authority and influence, changing the nuance to one of command.

have sometime exercised

Suggests the use of a power or right, applicable to past roles or authorities.

have earlier enjoyed

Shifts the focus to the positive experience of holding or possessing something.

FAQs

How do I use "have ever held" in a sentence?

Use "have ever held" to describe experiences or positions you've had at any point in your life. For instance, "I have ever held a leadership role" indicates past leadership experience.

What are some alternatives to "have ever held"?

Alternatives include "have previously possessed" or "have at any time occupied", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "had ever held" instead of "have ever held"?

While "have ever held" refers to experiences up to the present, "had ever held" refers to experiences before a specific point in the past. The choice depends on the time frame you're discussing.

What's the difference between "have ever held" and "have held"?

"Have held" implies you held something at some point, while "have ever held" emphasizes that it occurred at least once in your lifetime. "Have ever held" underscores the experience as part of your history.