to have existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to have existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the state of being or the existence of something in the past, often in a philosophical or historical context. Example: "Philosophers have long debated the nature of reality and whether anything can truly be said to have existed before the dawn of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

his homes seem to have existed forever".

The New Yorker

It seems to have existed by 1623.

Encyclopedia Britannica

his homes seem to have existed forever". This is intentional.

The New Yorker

2. Lintels 11 and 23, provided for by Maler, appear never to have existed.

Harvard University

Years later, they're considered to be one of the most influential bands to have existed.

Independent

Such associations are known to have existed in ancient Rome, however, where they were called collegia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A settlement is thought to have existed on the site in the 1820s.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They seem more or less not to have existed as major players.

The Economist

Puppet shows seem to have existed in almost all civilizations and in almost all periods.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The fakery would have had to have existed throughout the organisation.

Independent

Watermarks are known to have existed in Italy before the end of the 13th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to have existed" when you want to emphasize the completed or past nature of something's existence. For example, use it when discussing historical facts or extinct species.

Common error

Avoid using "to have existed" when referring to something that still exists in the present. Use a present perfect tense instead, such as "has existed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to have existed" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as part of a verb phrase to express that something was in a state of being at some point in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used correctly in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

41%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to have existed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase. Ludwig AI data shows that it functions primarily to assert the past existence of something. It is appropriate for neutral registers and finds common usage in encyclopedias, news media, and scientific publications. When employing this phrase, ensure you are accurately describing something that was present in the past but may not be so now.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have been in existence

Replaces the single word "existed" with a more verbose phrase indicating a state of being.

to have previously existed

Adds emphasis on the past nature of the existence.

to have occurred

Focuses on the event of existing rather than the state, implying something happened or took place.

to have been present

Highlights the presence of something in a specific time or place in the past.

to have once been

Implies a change in status, suggesting something existed before but doesn't now.

to have formally existed

Emphasizes the formal or official recognition of something's existence.

to be a thing of the past

Indicates that something no longer exists, focusing on its absence in the present.

to have had its existence

Rephrases the concept with a slightly more complex grammatical structure.

to have been around

An informal way of saying something existed, especially for a long time.

to have been alive

Specifically refers to living entities and their past existence.

FAQs

How can I use "to have existed" in a sentence?

Use "to have existed" when describing something that was present at some point in the past but may not be any longer. Example: "Many ancient civilizations are believed "to have existed" long before recorded history."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to have existed"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "to have been present", "to have occurred", or "to have been in existence".

Is it correct to say "to had existed" instead of "to have existed"?

No, "to had existed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "to have existed", which is the infinitive form of the past perfect tense.

What's the difference between "to have existed" and "to exist"?

"To exist" refers to the general state of being, while "to have existed" specifies that something was in a state of being at some point in the past. For example, "Dinosaurs "to have existed" millions of years ago" indicates their past existence, while "Does life "to exist" on other planets?" questions its current or potential being.