that has ever existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that has ever existed' is a perfectly acceptable and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You might use it when referring to something that has been around for a long time, like a famous historical figure, or a tradition or institution. For example, "Rosa Parks is the most influential civil rights activist that has ever existed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At 30 m in length and 190 tonne or more in weight, it is the largest existing animal and the heaviest that has ever existed.

Wikipedia

It's every grand-opening sale that has ever existed".

The New York Times

We require more energy than the biggest animal that has ever existed.

The New York Times - Magazine

The U.S. constitution is arguably the finest and most durably written constitution that has ever existed.

Harvard Business Review

It was the most influential and famous design school that has ever existed.

The Guardian - Arts

I think it's probably the greatest daytime TV show that has ever existed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Orange Is the New Black is the womanliest TV show that has ever existed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They're fighting for the greatest country that has ever existed on earth.

The New York Times

Fortunately, this type of atheism isn't the only one that has ever existed.

The Guardian

Annika Sorenstam The Swede is probably the best pound-for-pound golfer that has ever existed.

The Guardian - Sport

"This might be the most ultimate music streaming service that has ever existed," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that has ever existed" to emphasize the historical uniqueness or superlative nature of a subject. For example, "This is the largest tree that has ever existed."

Common error

Avoid using "that has ever existed" when a simple comparison is sufficient. Saying "This is the best apple I've ever eaten" is often preferable to "This is the best apple that has ever existed", unless you have evidence to support the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that has ever existed" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun by specifying it as the most significant or extreme example in history. As Ludwig AI points out, this construction helps to emphasize the unique or superlative qualities of the noun it modifies, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that has ever existed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used relative clause to emphasize the historical uniqueness or superlative quality of a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news, media and wiki sources, serving to elevate the importance or distinction of the noun it modifies. When writing, use this phrase to highlight exceptional qualities, but avoid overuse in simple comparisons. Consider alternatives such as "that ever existed" or "the greatest of all time" for variety. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it appropriate for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that ever existed

Omits "has", resulting in a slightly less formal or more concise phrasing.

that has ever been created

Replaces "existed" with "been created", focusing on the act of creation rather than existence.

the greatest of all time

Uses a more common superlative construction to denote something as the best.

the best there has ever been

Emphasizes the quality of being the best throughout history.

unparalleled in history

Focuses on the lack of comparison throughout history.

the most significant to date

Highlights the importance up to the current time.

that the world has ever known

Expands the scope to the entire world's experience.

that history has ever seen

Focuses on historical perspective.

without equal in recorded time

Emphasizes the lack of comparable entities throughout recorded history.

the ultimate example

Highlights something as being the definitive or most extreme case.

FAQs

How can I use "that has ever existed" in a sentence?

Use "that has ever existed" to emphasize the superlative or unique nature of something throughout history. For example, "The blue whale is the largest animal "that has ever existed"".

What phrases are similar to "that has ever existed"?

Similar phrases include "that ever existed", "the greatest of all time", and "unparalleled in history".

Is it correct to say "that has ever existed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and widely used to express the superlative nature of something throughout history.

What is the difference between "that existed" and "that has ever existed"?

"That existed" refers to something that was present at some point, while ""that has ever existed"" emphasizes its presence and superlative nature throughout all of history.