have worked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have worked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to form the perfect tense of the verb "work". For example, "I have worked in this restaurant for five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Dispersants may have worked.

The New York Times

Because they have worked.

Independent

It must have worked.

The New York Times - Sports

Some have worked splendidly.

The Economist

Many have worked abroad.

The Economist

The laws have worked.

The New York Times

Might ti have worked?

The New Yorker

Those policies have worked.

The Economist

Conrad Chekhov wouldn't have worked.

The New Yorker

How would he have worked?

The New Yorker

It may not have worked.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have worked" to indicate the completion of tasks or projects, especially when emphasizing the effort involved or the results achieved. Ensure the context clearly defines what has been worked on for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have worked" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. Use the simple past tense ("worked") instead to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have worked" functions as the present perfect tense of the verb 'work'. It indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present or an action completed at an unspecified time in the past. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have worked" is a versatile phrase used to express actions completed in the past with relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, primarily in news and formal settings. To ensure clarity, specify what was worked on and avoid using it for single, isolated past actions. Consider alternatives like "has been effective" for variety. With its high frequency and correctness, mastering "have worked" will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has proven successful

Highlights the achievement of a desired result, suggesting that something has demonstrated its effectiveness.

has been effective

Emphasizes the positive outcome or impact of an action, suggesting it achieved the intended result.

has yielded results

Focuses on the consequences or outcomes produced by a certain action or method, especially in a scientific or experimental context.

has functioned

Focuses more specifically on the functional aspect of something being in working order, rather than general work being done.

has performed

Emphasizes the execution of a task or duty, often in a professional or skilled manner.

has been implemented

Refers specifically to a plan or system being put into action and performing as intended.

has operated

Focuses on the action of performing a task or process, particularly in a mechanical or systematic sense.

has been in effect

Highlights the duration and current validity of a rule, law, or system that's actively functioning.

has been utilized

Indicates the use of something for a specific purpose, emphasizing its practical application.

has come to fruition

Suggests the completion and success of a long-term process or project, emphasizing the fulfillment of its potential.

FAQs

How do I use "have worked" in a sentence?

"Have worked" is used to describe actions completed at an unspecified time in the past, or actions that started in the past and continue to the present. For example, "I "have worked" on this project for five years" or "They "have worked" hard to achieve this goal."

What are some alternatives to "have worked"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has been effective", "has proven successful", or "has performed".

Is there a difference between "have worked" and "worked"?

"Have worked" implies a connection to the present, suggesting the action's effects are still relevant. "Worked", the simple past tense, refers to a completed action with no necessary present relevance. For instance, "I "have worked" here for years (and still do)" versus "I "worked" there last summer (but not anymore)."

When should I use "have worked" instead of "had worked"?

Use "have worked" when referring to actions completed before the present moment. Use "had worked" when referring to actions completed before a specific point in the past. For example, "I "have worked" on many projects recently" versus "By the time I joined the company, she "had worked" there for ten years."