have ripped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have ripped" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense to indicate that an action of ripping has occurred at some unspecified time in the past and may have relevance to the present. Example: "I have ripped the fabric while trying to sew the dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I could have ripped my shirt off".

The Guardian - Sport

Fans have ripped Marco Andretti for being a lousy teammate.

The New York Times - Sports

But that would have ripped apart his family.

The New York Times

Most notably, teammates have ripped him for his lackadaisical blocking.

The New York Times - Sports

It would have ripped the obsolete classification system asunder.

The Guardian - Opinion

Vandals have ripped up miles of railroad tracks.

The New York Times

Car bombs have ripped through neighborhoods, the targets and attackers only guessed at.

The New York Times

He should just have ripped a few of those babies instead.

Independent

If he wasn't I would have ripped his [Mahmood's] head off.

The Guardian

And other private channels have ripped into their main rival, accusing it of betraying the country.

The Guardian

Someone also seemed to have ripped the heart out of the Leeds side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have ripped" to describe emotional or abstract damage, ensure the context clearly conveys the intensity and destructiveness of the action. For example, "The scandal have ripped through the community" emphasizes the severe impact.

Common error

Avoid using "have ripped" in passive constructions where the agent is unclear or unimportant. Instead of "The documents have been ripped", specify who performed the action: "They have ripped the documents".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have ripped" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates an action of tearing or damaging that has been completed at some point in the past, with potential relevance to the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its varied usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Vice

3%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have ripped" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe both physical tearing and metaphorical damage, as validated by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, signifying actions that have caused destruction or division. While grammatically correct and widely used, writers should ensure clarity and avoid passive constructions. Alternatives like "have torn" or "have shredded" can provide nuanced meanings. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios, and its prevalence in authoritative sources underscores its validity and usefulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have torn

Indicates a similar action of pulling apart or damaging, often used interchangeably.

have lacerated

Implies a more severe and jagged form of tearing or cutting.

have shredded

Suggests tearing into many small pieces, a more intense form of ripping.

have criticized harshly

Shifts the meaning from physical tearing to strong verbal attack.

have blasted

Implies a forceful and destructive impact, similar to ripping something apart.

have devastated

Indicates widespread damage and destruction, a more extensive consequence of ripping.

have dismantled

Suggests taking something apart piece by piece, often with force.

have destroyed

Indicates complete ruin or demolition, a more extreme outcome.

have overthrown

Implies forceful removal or displacement, often in a political context.

have ravaged

Suggests widespread destruction and damage, often by natural forces.

FAQs

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

You can use "have ripped" to describe the action of tearing something violently, like "The wind "have ripped" the sails". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "The scandal "have ripped" through the community".

What are some alternatives to "have ripped"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have torn", "have shredded", or "have lacerated" for physical tearing. For metaphorical usage, consider "have devastated" or "have destroyed".

Is it correct to say "have ripped" or should I use "have torn"?

Both ""have ripped"" and "have torn" are correct and often interchangeable. "Ripped" suggests a more violent or forceful tearing action, while "torn" is more general.

What's the difference between "have ripped" and "have shredded"?

"Have ripped" implies a single, forceful tear. "Have shredded", on the other hand, means tearing something into many small pieces. For example, "The document was ripped" versus "The document was shredded".