have not occupied

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have not occupied" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a particular space, position, or role has not been filled or taken by someone or something. Example: "The position of team leader has not occupied by anyone since last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But their ambitions would put the Ravens in the rarefied company of the Saints, the Patriots and the Vikings, and into offensive territory the Ravens have not occupied since 1996, when Vinny Testaverde's offense was ranked third in the league but nobody cared because the defense was so bad the team won only four games.

The New York Times

We have not "occupied" Afghanistan, but more than a hundred thousand of our troops are there, along with private contractors and subcontractors employing "third-country nationals" to dish out food and cut our soldiers' hair (try reading Sarah Stillman's piece about their treatment, in this week's New Yorker, without feeling ashamed).

The New Yorker

As prices for flat-panel liquid-crystal-display TVs continue to fall, Philips has been in an unenviable position: while a well-known name, its televisions have not occupied the premium brand position of Sony and Samsung and the company could not compete on the low end with commodity brands like Vizio and Westinghouse.

The New York Times - Tech

Other cats are reproducing in areas they have not occupied for years, including the southern part of the Big Cypress National Preserve and Everglades National Park, said Roy McBride, who has used hounds to trap panthers for wildlife officials since 1981.

The New York Times - Science

The fall of three places puts them in a slot they have not occupied since the aftermath of Kevin Keegan's tenure.

BBC

Manchester United enter the international break in fourth place - a position they have not occupied since they drew with Chelsea in their second game last season, David Moyes' first home game as manager.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Now, after 24 days, they haven't occupied a single village". In the distance, the trails of missiles arced overhead.

The Washington Post

We know that we need some more players because we haven't occupied all of the positions.

The Guardian - Sport

Gnomes haven't occupied much of a role in our popular culture since the days of prime minister John Major, and his eccentric elder brother Terry reminiscing about the garden ornament business that once brought their south London family to ruin.

The Guardian - Film

"We know that we need some more players because we haven't occupied all of the positions," the 51-year-old said.

BBC

Radio Free Europe notes that humans haven't occupied the exclusion zone since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have not occupied" to clearly indicate that a space, position, or role is currently vacant or has not been filled by a specific entity. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "have not occupied" when describing active military invasions or seizures of territory. This phrase implies a lack of presence, whereas an invasion signifies active control, even if not fully established.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have not occupied" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of someone or something taking up a particular space, position, or role. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows its use in contexts ranging from physical spaces to abstract positions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have not occupied" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to denote the absence of someone or something taking up a particular space, position, or role. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, and is considered to have neutral to professional tone. While 'have not occupied' is acceptable, related phrases such as "have not filled" or "remain unoccupied", may provide better clarity in specific instances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not filled

Focuses on the absence of something taking up a space or position.

have not held

Implies a lack of possession or control over something.

have not taken up

Highlights the absence of assuming a role, position or space.

have not inhabited

Specifically refers to the absence of residing or living in a place.

remain unoccupied

Emphasizes the continued state of being empty or not in use.

have not resided

Indicates that someone or something has not lived in a certain place.

have not commandeered

Highlights the absence of seizing or taking control of something, often forcefully.

have not seized

Focuses on the lack of a forceful taking or capturing of something.

have not settled

Implies that a place has not had people or things come to live there.

have not established themselves

Focuses on the lack of setting up a home or business in a particular location.

FAQs

How can I use "have not occupied" in a sentence?

You can use "have not occupied" to indicate that a space, position, or role is currently vacant. For example, "The office "has not been occupied" since the previous tenant moved out".

What can I say instead of "have not occupied"?

Alternatives include "have not filled", "remain unoccupied", or "have not taken up" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has not been occupied" instead of "have not occupied"?

Yes, "has not been occupied" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "Have not occupied" is used with plural subjects or with 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'.

What's the difference between "have not occupied" and "are not occupying"?

"Have not occupied" refers to a state of not having possessed or filled something in the past or present, while "are not occupying" implies a continuous action of not being in possession or not filling something at the current moment. Example: 'They "have not occupied" the building since last year' versus 'They "are not occupying" the building due to renovations'.