have traces of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have traces of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has an element or evidence of something that is usually difficult to detect. For example: This old building has traces of its original architecture.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Some have traces of painted decoration.

Britannica

"Even now, I have traces of the good little girl.

The Guardian - Arts

Nearly all the graves have traces of coffins made of logs or boat parts.

The New York Times - Science

Antique wallpapers, Ms. Thibaut-Pomerantz explained, often have traces of stampings from thousands of separate woodblocks.

The New York Times - Arts

Ninety-three percent of Americans have traces of BPA in their bodies.

The New York Times - Magazine

It was indeed green and did, indeed, have traces of arsenic.

Independent

The currently available vaccines have traces of other proteins that contribute to its reactogenicity.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

"It's impossible to go into a studio and not have traces of what the Beatles did with George Martin.

The Guardian - Music

You look for little crystals inside the ash that have traces of magma, and you examine them with various probes.

Columbia University

When it comes to understanding their motivations, we have traces of their speech: tweets, Google chats, Skype conversations, messages on WhatsApp and Facebook.

The Guardian

Even wrapped raw foods such as pre-packed fresh meat or fish may have traces of harmful bugs on the outside of the packaging.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have traces of" when you want to indicate the presence of something subtle or residual, not a large or obvious amount.

Common error

Avoid using "have traces of" when the presence of something is already very apparent. Opt for stronger, more direct language if the element is prominent, not subtle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have traces of" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject possesses a minimal or detectable amount of something. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, highlighting the presence of subtle remnants or indicators.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have traces of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the presence of something in a small, often subtle, amount. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia, maintaining a neutral register. It's essential to use it when you want to convey the existence of something that is not immediately obvious but still detectable. Avoid overusing it in situations where the presence of the element is already apparent. There are alternatives such as "show evidence of" or "contain vestiges of" that may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contain vestiges of

Replaces "traces" with "vestiges", emphasizing remnants or signs of something that no longer exists fully.

show evidence of

Focuses on the visibility or detectability of proof, rather than subtle amounts.

exhibit signs of

Highlights the presence of indicators or symptoms of something.

reveal remnants of

Stresses the uncovering or discovery of remaining parts.

betray hints of

Implies subtle or indirect indicators that suggest something is present.

possess slight amounts of

Quantifies the amount, indicating only a small quantity is present.

include elements of

Indicates the incorporation of certain components or aspects.

demonstrate inklings of

Emphasizes subtle or vague suggestions of something.

retain suggestions of

Focuses on the persistence of indications or impressions.

display indications of

Highlights visible or noticeable signs pointing to something.

FAQs

How can I use "have traces of" in a sentence?

You can use "have traces of" to indicate the presence of a small or subtle amount of something. For example, "The antique wallpaper "have traces of" stampings from woodblocks."

What can I say instead of "have traces of"?

You can use alternatives like "show evidence of", "contain vestiges of", or "exhibit signs of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have traces of" or "has traces of"?

"Have traces of" is used with plural subjects, while "has traces of" is used with singular subjects. For example, "They "have traces of" the original design," but "It "has traces of" the original design."

What's the difference between "have traces of" and "have a trace of"?

"Have traces of" suggests multiple instances or components, while "have a trace of" implies a single, minute amount. Example: "The sample "have traces of" multiple contaminants," versus "The sample "has a trace of" lead."