have existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been present or in existence from a point in the past up to the present moment. Example: "These species have existed for millions of years, adapting to their environments over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These must have existed.

The Economist

Both have existed since 2010.

The New York Times

his homes seem to have existed forever".

The New Yorker

Such languages have existed for decades.

The Economist

Apartment buildings have existed for centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It seems to have existed by 1623.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It may as well not have existed.

The New Yorker

"These programs have existed for years.

The New York Times - Tech

The word adolescent need not have existed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The gastronomic societies have existed forever.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We have existed with and without sponsorship.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have existed" to indicate that something has been present or in existence from a point in the past up to the present. For instance, "These species "have existed" for millions of years, adapting to their environments over time."

Common error

Avoid using "have existed" when referring to something that no longer exists. Instead, use "existed" to refer to something in the past that no longer continues to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have existed" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being or presence that began in the past and continues to the present. As shown in Ludwig, it's used to describe entities, concepts, or phenomena that originated at some earlier point and persist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have existed" is a grammatically correct and very commonly used verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic sources. It serves to indicate that something has been present from a point in the past up to the present moment. While alternatives like "have been around" or "have been in existence" offer similar meanings, "have existed" maintains a versatile and widely accepted usage. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the continued presence of the subject from past to present, and avoid using it for entities that no longer exist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been around

Focuses on the continuous presence or availability of something.

have been in existence

Emphasizes the state of being, highlighting the fact that something has had a real presence.

have been present

Highlights the simple fact of being in a particular place or situation.

have occurred

Highlights the happening or taking place of events or phenomena.

have prevailed

Suggests a dominance or persistence of something over time, often against opposition.

have taken place

Emphasizes the completion or execution of events or actions.

have been established

Emphasizes the setting up or founding of something, marking its beginning and continued presence.

have come into being

Focuses on the origin or point at which something began to exist.

have survived

Highlights the ability to continue to exist despite challenges or threats.

have developed

Highlights the process of growth or evolution over time.

FAQs

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

Use "have existed" to indicate that something was present from some point in the past up to the present. For example: "These programs "have existed" for years."

What are some alternatives to "have existed"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "have been around", "have been in existence", or "have occurred".

When should I use "existed" instead of "have existed"?

Use "existed" when referring to something that existed solely in the past and is no longer present. Use "have existed" when referring to something that started in the past and continues to the present.

Is it correct to say "had existed" instead of "have existed"?

Use "had existed" to refer to something that existed before another point in the past. In contrast, "have existed" refers to something that started in the past and continues to the present.