they have fought

USAGE SUMMARY

"they have fought" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation in which someone has faced adversity with determination and resilience. For example, you could say, "The students have fought hard to stay in school despite the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have fought back.

The Guardian

They have fought and they have lost.

The Guardian - Opinion

They have fought countless suitors of indeterminate credibility and intentions.

Independent

They have fought each other for turf, too.

The New Yorker

They have fought with lawsuits and testified about legislation.

The New York Times

But they have fought as if it was.

The New York Times

And they have fought it with U.S. dollars".

The New York Times

When attacked, they have fought back against police.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clearly they have fought like tigers for their child.

The Guardian

"The kids were there to fight; they have fought before.

The Guardian

But judges, even if they have fought political corruption, should not become elected politicians.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have fought" to emphasize a group's active and sustained engagement in a conflict or struggle.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase when referring to a future or ongoing conflict; instead, consider "they are fighting" or "they will fight".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have fought" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It describes actions completed in the past that have a connection to the present. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they have fought" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes past conflicts with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, its proper use conveys active and sustained engagement in a conflict. While it fits seamlessly into diverse writing contexts, particularly news and media, users should avoid using it to describe future or present conflicts. Furthermore, alternatives such as "they have battled" or "they have struggled" may offer nuanced meaning, depending on context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have battled

Replaces "fought" with a synonym, emphasizing a sustained conflict or struggle.

they have struggled

Focuses on the difficulty and effort involved in opposing something.

they have contended

Implies a more formal or legalistic opposition.

they have resisted

Highlights opposition to a force or authority.

they have opposed

A general term for being against something.

they have combated

Suggests active measures to counteract something.

they have warred

Emphasizes a state of war or prolonged conflict.

they have clashed

Suggests a brief but intense confrontation.

they have been in conflict

A more descriptive way of indicating opposition.

they have taken a stand

Highlights the act of defending a position or principle.

FAQs

How can I use "they have fought" in a sentence?

You can use "they have fought" to describe past conflicts or struggles, such as "They have fought for their rights for many years".

What can I say instead of "they have fought"?

You can use alternatives like "they have battled", "they have struggled", or "they have resisted" depending on the specific context.

Is "they have fought" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they have fought" is grammatically correct as it uses the present perfect tense of the verb "fight".

What is the difference between "they fought" and "they have fought"?

"They fought" refers to a completed action in the past, while "they have fought" emphasizes the relevance or consequences of that past action in the present.