have sent

USAGE SUMMARY

"have sent" is a correct and usable verb tense in written English.
It is used to communicate that something was sent at a past time. For example, "I have sent the order form."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The contractors have sent reinforcements.

The New York Times - Health

France and Britain have sent advisers.

The Economist

He could have sent us a signal.

The New York Times

His movements have sent the wrong message.

The New York Times

The Democrats have sent in reinforcements, too.

The New York Times

That would have sent some people home.

The New York Times

"That could have sent him backward.

The New York Times - Sports

The authorities have sent mixed signals.

The New York Times

Iranian officials have sent mixed messages.

The New York Times

They should never have sent him away.

Independent

You must have sent it everywhere".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the action of sending something in the past, ensure the context clearly indicates the completed nature of the action.

Common error

Avoid using "have sent" when the context requires a simple past tense. For example, instead of "I have sent the email yesterday", use "I sent the email yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have sent" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating a completed action with continuing relevance. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. It connects a past event to the present moment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have sent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for describing completed actions with present relevance. Primarily found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for a broad range of communication. When writing, be mindful of tense consistency and consider using synonyms like "despatched" or "dispatched" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

despatched

Replaces "sent" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a deliberate act of sending something.

dispatched

Similar to "despatched", it implies sending something quickly and efficiently, often for a specific purpose.

transmitted

Suitable when referring to sending electronic signals or data.

forwarded

Implies sending something received from someone else to another party.

relayed

Suggests passing on information or a message from one person to another.

emitted

Suitable when sending a signal.

directed

Suggests providing instructions or orders to someone.

consigned

Commonly used in the context of shipping or delivering goods.

mailed

Specifically refers to sending something via postal service.

shipped

Used when referring to sending goods or products via a shipping service.

FAQs

How is "have sent" used in a sentence?

"Have sent" indicates a completed action in the past with relevance to the present. For example, "They "have sent the package"", implying it's now in transit or has arrived.

What are some alternatives to "have sent"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "despatched", "dispatched", or "transmitted" to express similar meanings.

Is it correct to say "I have sent the email yesterday"?

No, it's not correct. The correct phrasing is "I sent the email yesterday". Using "have sent" implies the action has a connection to the present, which "yesterday" negates. Consider using the simple past tense instead.

What's the difference between "have sent" and "had sent"?

"Have sent" implies an action completed recently with present relevance. "Had sent", on the other hand, refers to an action completed before another point in the past. For example: "I had sent the letter before I realized it was outdated".