they have now

USAGE SUMMARY

"they have now" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate a change in circumstance (for example, "the situation was different before, but they have now come to an agreement") or to refer to something that has just occurred (for example, "they have now arrived at the event").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They have now.

The Economist

They have now been fixed.

The Economist

"They have now left Libya".

The New York Times

But they have now.

The Washington Post

They have now apologised".

The Guardian

Well, they have now.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is exactly what they have now.

Independent

They have now demanded an inquiry.

Independent

They have now been reinstated.

The Guardian - Sport

They have now disowned her.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

They have now been proven correct.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they have now", ensure the context clearly indicates a change from a previous state. Avoid using it redundantly if the timing is already evident.

Common error

Avoid using "they have now" when the timing of the action is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure that the context provides a clear reference point for when the change occurred. For example, instead of saying "They have now decided", specify when the decision was made, such as "They have now decided after careful consideration".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have now" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing or completion of an action. Ludwig AI shows many examples where it signifies a recent change or current state resulting from a previous action. It is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they have now" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, serving to indicate the recent completion of an action or a change in state. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by providing a clear time reference. Although generally neutral, consider alternatives for very formal writing. Ludwig's analysis indicates that avoiding ambiguity in time references is crucial for effective communication when employing the phrase "they have now".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they have just obtained

Highlights the immediacy of the acquisition, using "just" to emphasize the recentness.

they recently acquired

Focuses on the acquisition aspect, suggesting that they obtained something in the near past.

they've lately secured

A more concise alternative, using "lately" to indicate recent securing or attainment.

they've just gotten

Informal alternative emphasizing the recent acquisition or receipt of something.

they currently possess

Replaces "have now" with a more descriptive term indicating present possession, implying a state achieved recently.

they presently hold

Substitutes "have now" with an emphasis on the current holding or maintaining of something.

they at this moment retain

Uses more formal language to indicate that they currently retain something, instead of simply possessing it.

they possess as of late

Indicates possession that has come about in recent times, with a slight emphasis on duration.

they now find themselves with

Shifts the focus to their current state or situation, indicating what they currently have available.

they are presently in possession of

A more formal and detailed way of stating that they currently possess something.

FAQs

How do I use "they have now" in a sentence?

Use "they have now" to indicate that a group has recently completed an action or achieved a state. For example, "After a long negotiation, "they have now" reached an agreement".

What phrases can I use instead of "they have now"?

You can use phrases like "they recently", "they just", or "they currently" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "they have now" formal or informal?

"They have now" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives such as "they currently" or "they presently".

What is the difference between "they have now" and "they had now"?

"They have now" indicates a recent action or state change relative to the present. "They had now" is grammatically incorrect. If indicating an action completed before another point in the past, use "they had already" or rephrase to maintain clarity.