he has read

USAGE SUMMARY

"he has read" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a person has finished reading something. For example, "John has read the entire book about the history of Rome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He has read it.

The Guardian

(He has read the book four times).

The New York Times - Magazine

"He remembers everything that he has read".

The New York Times - Style

He has read everything that is relevant.

The New York Times - Books

He has read all the scouting reports.

The New York Times - Sports

"He has read nothing of mine, of course.

The New Yorker

He has read Iran, India and Syria correctly.

The Guardian - Opinion

Book he has read most: "The Stranger," by Albert Camus.

The New York Times - Magazine

He has read The Old Curiosity Shop three times.

The Guardian

Brian Hall sounds as if he has read them all.

The New York Times - Books

I ask if he has read Saviano's book.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he has read" to indicate that someone has completed the act of reading, and that this action has relevance to the present situation. For example, "He has read the report, so he is now aware of the facts."

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense ("he read") when you want to emphasize the continuing relevance of the reading to the present. "He read the instructions" simply states a past action, while "he has read the instructions" implies he now possesses that knowledge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has read" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that the subject ('he') has completed the action of reading at some point in the past, and this action has relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is both correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he has read" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as Ludwig AI states, that effectively communicates the completion of a reading action with present-day relevance. Its neutral tone suits various contexts, from news reports and scientific papers to everyday conversations. The phrase primarily functions to indicate acquired knowledge or understanding. Although other tenses can sometimes be used, "he has read" emphasizes the lasting impact of the reading experience. When in doubt, remember that this phrase is a reliable choice for conveying that someone has gained information or insight through reading.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he read

Simple past tense instead of present perfect, indicating a completed action in the past.

he has gone through

Indicates the act of reading something from beginning to end.

he is familiar with

Implies knowledge gained through reading or other means.

he has knowledge of

Focuses on the possession of knowledge as a result of reading.

he acquainted himself with

Suggests becoming familiar with something through reading or other means of learning.

he is well-read in

Highlights extensive reading within a specific subject area.

he is versed in

Similar to 'well-read' but can also imply practical experience.

he perused

A more formal term for reading, often suggesting careful examination.

he studied

Suggests a more focused and intentional form of reading, often for academic purposes.

he consumed

Figuratively emphasizes the amount of content that he read.

FAQs

How can I use "he has read" in a sentence?

Use "he has read" to indicate a completed action in the past that has a connection to the present. For example, "He has read the contract, so he understands the terms."

What are some alternatives to "he has read"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he read", "he is familiar with", or "he studied".

Is "he has read" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he has read" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense, which is formed with "has/have" + past participle of the verb.

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

"He read" refers to a completed action in the past, while "he has read" implies a completed action with present relevance or a state resulting from that action. For example, "He read the book yesterday" vs. "He has read the book, so he knows the story."