have form for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have form for" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where one is discussing a pattern of behavior or tendency, but it is more common to use "have a history of" or "have a tendency to." Example: "He has a form for arriving late to meetings, which frustrates his colleagues."

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

They have form for implosion.

The Guardian - Sport

The Brazilian organisers have form for missing deadlines and causing consternation at Fifa.

The Guardian - Sport

Costa Rica, of course, already have form for causing World Cup upsets.

The Guardian - Sport

Then Theresa May does have form for appointing people with no obvious credentials to big jobs.

The Guardian

Except that Rose and Stenson have form for this sort of thing.

The Guardian - Sport

All we're saying is that pop musicians have form for the retirement that proves to be anything but… When David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust tour began in 1972, he was another aspirant pop star playing to moderate crowds in moderate venues.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Their first vintage, the 2012, sold out in hours and waiting lists have formed for subsequent years.

Independent

It's impossible to know what goals she might have formed for herself in the absence of so many impediments, or what else she might have achieved.

The New Yorker

Come back another day and I'll have forms for you with the prices, as well as samples held close to the waist.

The New Yorker

He and the Mayors of five other urban areas — Albany, Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester and Yonkers — have formed for the first time a joint lobby to pressure the state for more financial aid.

The New York Times

Most insurance companies permit this and have forms for it.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have form for" to suggest a recognizable pattern of behavior or a past record that makes a future outcome more likely. For example, "The team "have form for" losing crucial matches, so their fans are understandably nervous."

Common error

Avoid using "have form for" when simply describing a single, isolated event. The phrase implies a repeated pattern or established history. Instead, use a simple statement describing the event directly.

Linguistic Context

The expression "have form for" functions as an idiomatic phrase used to indicate that someone or something has a previous record or tendency to act in a particular way. Ludwig shows that it's often used to suggest a likely continuation of this pattern.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

20%

General

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have form for" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate a past tendency or pattern of behavior, suggesting a likelihood of recurrence. Ludwig's examples show it's frequently used in news and sports contexts. While the phrase is considered acceptable in general usage, more formal alternatives like "have a history of" or "have a tendency to" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. Although the Ludwig AI considers the phrase acceptable, remember to use it when there is a history and not simply a single event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a history of

More formal and direct, emphasizing a documented series of past actions.

have a tendency to

Focuses on an inclination or likelihood, rather than concrete past actions.

be prone to

Highlights a susceptibility or vulnerability towards a particular behavior or outcome.

be in the habit of

Emphasizes a repeated action that has become a customary practice.

have a record of

Similar to "have a history of", but can also apply to less formal or official situations.

be known for

Indicates a reputation or widespread knowledge about someone's typical behavior.

be liable to

Suggests a responsibility or increased chance of something happening.

be apt to

Implies a natural or inherent inclination towards something.

have a penchant for

Suggests a strong liking or preference, often for something unusual or specific.

be predisposed to

Highlights a pre-existing inclination or susceptibility, often due to genetics or environment.

FAQs

What does it mean to "have form for" something?

To "have form for" something means that a person or thing has a history of behaving or performing in a particular way, making it likely they will do so again.

Is "have form for" the same as "have a history of"?

While similar, "have form for" often implies a more specific and sometimes less formal context than "have a history of". The latter can be used in more serious or official situations.

How can I use "have form for" in a sentence?

You can use "have form for" to indicate that someone or something is likely to repeat a past behavior. For example, "The company "have form for" missing deadlines, so it's unlikely the project will be completed on time."

What are some alternatives to "have form for"?

Alternatives include "have a tendency to", "be prone to", or "be known for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.