they have seen

USAGE SUMMARY

"they have seen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an experience or action that has already taken place. For example, "The family has seen some incredible sights on their trip around Europe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have seen worse.

The New York Times

"They have seen it all.

The New York Times

They have seen it now.

The New York Times

They have seen the results.

Independent

They have seen us.

The New Yorker

They feel they have seen this before.

The New York Times

They have seen the horses.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have seen better nights.

The Guardian - Sport

"They have seen enough ads".

The New York Times

They have seen civil war.

The Guardian - Arts

They have seen 29 overs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, remember to choose a verb tense that aligns with the timeline of events. "They have seen" refers to experiences that have occurred and concluded.

Common error

Avoid using "they have saw" (incorrect grammar) or confusing "they have seen" with "they saw" (simple past). The present perfect "they have seen" implies a connection to the present or a duration of time, whereas "they saw" refers to a completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they have seen" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. According to Ludwig AI, this indicates a completed action or experience that has relevance to the present moment. This is observed across the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they have seen" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that a group of people has experienced or witnessed something, with implications for the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to science and business, maintaining a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning and avoid common grammatical errors. For alternatives, consider phrases like "they witnessed" or "they observed", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they witnessed

Replaces "seen" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the act of observing an event.

they observed

Similar to "witnessed", but can also imply a more analytical or detached observation.

they experienced

Shifts the focus from visual observation to personal involvement or undergoing a situation.

they have noticed

Implies a casual or incidental observation, rather than a deliberate act of witnessing.

they are aware of

Changes the focus from visual perception to general knowledge or understanding.

they came to know

Indicates acquiring knowledge or information through experience or observation.

they have recognized

Highlights the act of identifying or acknowledging something based on prior knowledge or experience.

it has been seen by them

Uses a passive voice construction to emphasize the object of observation rather than the observers.

they have knowledge of

Focuses on possessing information rather than the act of seeing or observing.

they are familiar with

Suggests prior acquaintance or experience with something, implying a deeper understanding.

FAQs

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

Use "they have seen" to indicate that a group of people has experienced or witnessed something. For example, "They have seen many changes in the city over the years."

What is a good alternative to "they have seen"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "they witnessed", "they observed", or "they experienced".

What is the difference between "they have seen" and "they saw"?

"They have seen" indicates that the experience has relevance to the present or occurred over a period of time, while "they saw" refers to a specific instance in the past with no direct connection to the present.

Is "they have saw" grammatically correct?

No, "they have saw" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they have seen", using the past participle of "see".