they have located

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they have located" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has found or discovered something or someone. Example: "After hours of searching, they have located the missing documents in the archive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Once found they are trained to bark to indicate that they have located the suspect.

The Guardian

They know that they have located the tip of an enormous photographic iceberg and are tapping into a communal need.

The New York Times - Arts

Though the archaeologists cannot be certain, they – and, with some exceptions, historians too – now believe they have located the site of Muziris.

The Guardian

Rescuers searching for survivors of a mudslide in Washington state recovered two bodies and believe they have located another eight, officials have said.

The Guardian

A year later, they have located all but 90 of their 2,000 clients, whose premiums the company continues to pay.

The New York Times

Where they have located a pipeline, they will perforate holes and quietly they will lay pipelines for up to one kilometer, where they siphon the fuel at will".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

They had located Geovany's birth mother.

The New York Times

The authorities in Dallas said on Sunday they had located a homeless man who may have had contact with Duncan.

The Guardian

They're set on breaking into a criminal strongroom they've located – with no clear idea what's inside.

The Guardian - Film

And there is absolutely no doubt that Siemens's whole record, wherever they've located, has not been to bring people in from overseas.

The Guardian

They suspect that there are about a hundred bodies buried there; they've located forty-six, among them the graves of sixteen children.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they have located" to indicate that a group or organization has successfully found something after a search or investigation. For clarity, specify what "they" refers to and what was located.

Common error

Avoid using "they have located" without a clear antecedent for "they". Ensure the subject is explicitly stated to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of "They have located the suspect", write "The police have located the suspect".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have located" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a group has successfully found something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science & Research

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they have located" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express that a group has successfully found something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable. Its frequency is categorized as common, and it's primarily found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, ensure the subject "they" is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and maintain a clear and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they've identified

Uses a contraction and a different verb to convey a similar meaning of finding or recognizing.

they have pinpointed

Implies a more precise finding of a location or specific item.

they've discovered

Emphasizes the element of uncovering something previously unknown.

they have detected

Suggests the use of technology or special senses to find something.

they have traced

Indicates following a path or clues to find something.

they have unearthed

Implies digging up or discovering something hidden or buried.

they have come across

Suggests finding something by chance or unexpectedly.

they have determined the whereabouts of

A more formal and verbose way of expressing that someone or something has been located.

the location is known to them

Inverts the sentence structure to passively indicate knowledge of a location.

they know the location of

A simpler, more direct way of saying they are aware of where something is.

FAQs

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

Use "they have located" to indicate that a group or organization has found something. For example, "The research team "they have located" the gene responsible for the disease".

What are some alternatives to saying "they have located"?

You can use alternatives such as "they have found", "they have identified", or "they have discovered" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "they have located" in formal writing?

Yes, "they have located" is suitable for formal writing. However, ensure that the subject "they" is clearly defined and that the context is appropriate for such a phrase.

What's the difference between "they have located" and "they located"?

"They have located" uses the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past with relevance to the present. "They located" uses the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past with no direct connection to the present.