have washed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have washed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed at some indefinite time in the past and has relevance to the present. Example: "I have washed the car, so it looks brand new now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They have washed their hands of us.

The New York Times

She would have washed up already".

The New Yorker

– you have washed away their developmental past.

The Guardian

"I'd have washed my hair if I'd known," Bridey said.

The New Yorker

And they'd have washed more than we traditionally think.

The Guardian - Books

Maybe some water would have washed down that pretzel.

The New York Times - Magazine

Quinlan would surely have washed his hands at this point.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, he could have washed the lad's big black feet".

The New York Times - Books

"The flood may have washed it away," Caleb said.

The New Yorker

Flood waters have washed away thousands of towns and villages.

The New York Times

Events have washed away all that and more.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have washed", ensure the tense is appropriate for your context. It's best used to describe an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has relevance to the present situation.

Common error

Avoid using "have washed" when referring to a specific time in the past. In such cases, use the simple past tense ("washed") instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have washed" functions primarily as the present perfect tense of the verb 'to wash'. This indicates an action that was completed at some point in the past and has a connection to the present. Ludwig shows numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have washed" is a common and grammatically correct construction in English, functioning as the present perfect tense of 'to wash'. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is used to indicate that an action of cleaning has been completed at some point in the past, and it has some relevance in the present, and its register is generally neutral. Ludwig provides numerous examples, affirming its validity and illustrating its usage across different contexts. Given its wide acceptance and frequency, writers can confidently use "have washed" in their writing, provided they adhere to appropriate tense usage and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have cleaned

Replaces "washed" with a more general term for removing dirt or impurities.

have rinsed

Suggests a lighter cleaning action, typically with water.

have scrubbed

Implies a more vigorous and thorough cleaning process.

have purified

Conveys the idea of removing contaminants or impurities to make something pure.

have sanitized

Focuses on removing bacteria and germs to make something hygienic.

have laundered

Specifically refers to washing clothes or linens.

have cleared

Indicates the removal of something, often metaphorical, like clearing a debt.

have eliminated

Suggests complete removal or eradication of something.

have erased

Implies the removal of something, often a memory or mistake.

have swept away

Indicates a forceful removal, often by a natural force like wind or water.

FAQs

How is "have washed" used in a sentence?

"Have washed" is used in the present perfect tense to indicate a completed action with present relevance. For example, "I "have washed the dishes", so the kitchen is clean now."

What are some alternatives to "have washed"?

Depending on the context, you could use "have cleaned", "have rinsed", or "have laundered" as alternatives to "have washed".

Is it correct to say "I have washed" or "I washed"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I washed" refers to a completed action in the past, while "I "have washed"" implies the action has a connection to the present.

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

"Have washed" is present perfect, indicating an action completed before now. "Had washed" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another point in the past. For example, "I "had washed" the car before it started raining."