he has divorced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has divorced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a man has legally ended his marriage, typically in a context discussing his relationship status. Example: "After years of unhappiness, he has divorced and is now focusing on his personal growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

(In recent years he has divorced, fathered a child, and become engaged — and each event occurred with a different woman).

The New Yorker

He has divorced two times; the last time, he broke the news to his family on national television.

The New York Times - Magazine

One has since committed suicide, while he has divorced fellow politician Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, now chairperson of African Union.

The Guardian

On the personal side, he has divorced his second wife, and last August he married a former Congressional aide and his companion of seven years, Callista Bisek, who is 34.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Then he had divorced his wife.

The New Yorker

(He had divorced his wife of 39 years in 1985).

The New York Times

He had divorced twice already; he could do so a third time.

The New Yorker

By the time he died, in May , 1942 he had divorced four times, and was bankrupt.

The New Yorker

He had divorced Lily Texier in 1904 and subsequently married his daughter's mother, Emma Bardac.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Obama said at the time — falsely — that he had divorced his Kenyan wife, with whom he had two children.

The New York Times

He had divorced Frances Pilchard, the mother of his first child and married Barbara Tripp.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has divorced", consider the context and choose the verb tense that best conveys the timing and duration of the divorce in relation to other events. For example, use the past perfect "he had divorced" to describe an event that occurred before another event in the past.

Common error

Ensure that the pronoun "he" is clearly linked to the person you are referring to. In complex sentences, clarify who "he" is to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has divorced" functions as a statement of fact regarding a man's marital history. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable. It indicates that a man has legally ended his marriage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he has divorced" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned way to indicate that a man has ended his marriage. According to Ludwig, it's deemed correct and usable. While not extremely common, it is acceptable in a variety of contexts, particularly News & Media. Remember to consider your audience and the specific context when choosing this phrase, opting for alternative formulations like "he got divorced" if a more informal register is needed. Ensuring clear pronoun reference and using appropriate verb tenses (present perfect vs. past perfect) are also crucial for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he got divorced

Simple past tense; emphasizes the action of divorcing at a specific time.

he is now divorced

Focuses on his current marital status as a result of the divorce.

he went through a divorce

Highlights the experience and process of divorcing.

his marriage ended in divorce

Shifts the focus to the marriage itself and its outcome.

he dissolved his marriage

More formal; emphasizes the legal termination of the marriage.

he separated and divorced

Specifies both separation and the subsequent divorce.

he concluded his marriage

Emphasizes the closure of the marital relationship.

his divorce was finalized

Focuses on the legal completion of the divorce process.

he's a divorcee

Identifies him by his divorced status but is less common and can be perceived as somewhat stigmatizing.

he finalized the divorce

Highlights his role in completing the divorce proceedings.

FAQs

What is the difference between "he has divorced" and "he is divorced"?

"He has divorced" is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of divorcing happened at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. "He is divorced" describes his current marital status as a result of that past action. "He is divorced" focuses on the state, while "he has divorced" emphasizes the action.

When should I use "he had divorced" instead of "he has divorced"?

Use "he had divorced" (past perfect) when referring to a divorce that occurred before another event in the past. For example: "He had divorced his first wife before marrying again". "He has divorced" is used when the divorce is relevant to the present.

What are some less formal ways to say "he has divorced"?

Less formal alternatives include "he got divorced" or "he went through a divorce". The choice depends on the specific context and audience.

Is it appropriate to use "he has divorced" in professional writing?

Yes, "he has divorced" is grammatically correct and acceptable in professional writing as long as it's relevant to the context. However, consider the sensitivity of the topic and whether it's necessary to mention someone's divorce. If it's relevant, state the fact neutrally.