have shredded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have shredded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been torn or cut into pieces in the past and may still be in that state. Example: "I have shredded the documents to ensure that no sensitive information is left intact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The American news media, he said, have shredded his reputation.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush's overhaul would have shredded protections for wildlife and limited public input.

The New York Times

If I had previously had any respect for or confidence in Republicans, this would have shredded it.

University of California, Berkeley

For the third year in a row, leaf-cutter bees have shredded every leaf on my Darlow's Enigma rose.

The New York Times

The tumultuous events of the past month have shredded confidence, destroyed trust and left markets in a petrified state.

The Guardian - Business

When it was revealed to have shredded documents about Enron, and the Department of Justice decided to bring a criminal indictment against it, Andersen was doomed.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Brexit has shredded that.

The Guardian - Opinion

The North had shredded the Agreed Framework.

The Washington Post

The crab cake, unfortunately, had shredded rather than lump crab.

The New York Times

To make things worse, he had shredded his right knee with Cleveland the previous spring.

The New York Times - Sports

If Chinese authorities withhold support, more producers will fail, easing the overcapacity that has shredded prices.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have shredded" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly supports the image of tearing apart, as it can add emphasis and emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "have shredded" when a passive construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The document has been have shredded", use "The document has been shredded" or "The document has been destroyed".

Linguistic Context

"Have shredded" functions as a present perfect verb phrase, indicating an action of shredding that was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms this by listing numerous examples where it describes either a literal or figurative act of destruction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Academia

1%

Science & Research

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have shredded" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the action of tearing something into small pieces, both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. The phrase is used to describe actions completed in the past with present relevance, and while typically neutral in register, it can carry strong connotations of destruction or damage. When writing with "have shredded", ensure the context is clear and supports the image of tearing apart for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have torn apart

Emphasizes a more violent and complete destruction, implying something was forcefully ripped.

have ripped up

Suggests tearing into multiple pieces, similar to shredding but often implying less precision.

have dismantled

Implies taking something apart systematically, often used for systems or structures.

have destroyed

Indicates complete ruin or devastation, a broader term than shredding which focuses on physical fragmentation.

have undermined

Suggests weakening or damaging something gradually, often used for trust, reputation, or foundations.

have invalidated

Focuses on making something null or void, often used for arguments, claims, or agreements.

have negated

Similar to invalidated, but can also imply canceling out an effect or outcome.

have discredited

Focuses on damaging the credibility or reputation of someone or something.

have pulverized

Implies reducing something to fine particles, a more extreme form of destruction.

have demolished

Suggests completely knocking down or destroying a structure or system.

FAQs

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

You can use "have shredded" to describe the action of tearing something into small pieces, such as "The company is alleged to "have shredded" confidential documents" or "Two years of violence "have shredded" the Israeli economy".

What are some alternatives to "have shredded"?

Alternatives include "have torn apart", "have destroyed", or "have invalidated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has shredded" instead of "have shredded"?

No, "has shredded" should be used with singular subjects (e.g., "he has shredded"), while "have shredded" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "they have shredded") or the pronoun "I", "you", "we".

What is the difference between "have shredded" and "have torn"?

"Have shredded" implies tearing into many small pieces, often with a shredding machine or similar action. "Have torn" is a more general term for ripping something apart, which may not result in small pieces.