we have lived through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have lived through" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe experiences or events that someone has personally experienced over a period of time. Example: "In the past decade, we have lived through significant changes in technology and society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Governing in a crisis as tough as what we have lived through wasn't easy or gratifying.

The Guardian

"We have lived through black months".

Independent

"We have lived through it.

The Guardian

We have lived through tougher times".

The Guardian

We have lived through it; we did not want the war.

Yale University

We have lived through a long period when population growth has been the norm.

The Economist

We have lived through this moment before — a year ago, to be exact.

The Washington Post

We have lived through too many death threats to our people.

The New York Times

We have lived through the end of postmodernism and the dawning of postmodernity.

The Guardian - Arts

"We have lived through something in New Zealand, haven't we?" he said.

The New York Times

"This era of austerity we're in is not like other hard times we have lived through.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have lived through" to emphasize shared experiences or historical events that have significantly impacted a group or community. This phrase is particularly effective when establishing a sense of collective understanding or resilience.

Common error

Avoid using "we have lived through" when referring to future events. This phrase describes experiences that have already occurred. For future experiences, consider phrases like "we will live through" or "we will experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have lived through" functions as a declarative statement used to express shared experiences or historical events. It connects the speaker(s) to a past event, emphasizing their survival or endurance. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have lived through" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that serves to connect individuals through shared experiences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and versatile across various contexts. When using this phrase, remember to consider the tense and ensure it aligns with the timeline you are establishing. Alternatives such as "we have experienced" or "we have endured" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and academic sources, and remember avoid using "we have lived through" when referring to future events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have experienced

Focuses on the act of experiencing, suitable when emphasizing the impact of an event.

we've been through

A more concise and informal way of saying "we have lived through".

we have undergone

Suggests a more formal or significant process of change or transformation.

we've encountered

Focuses on meeting or facing specific challenges or situations.

we have seen

Emphasizes witnessing or observing events, rather than necessarily being directly affected.

we've faced

Highlights confronting difficult or adverse conditions directly.

we have endured

Highlights the ability to withstand difficult or challenging circumstances.

we've witnessed

Emphasizes observing events, often of historical or significant importance.

we have passed through

Implies a journey or transition, suitable when describing moving from one state to another.

we've navigated

Suggests skillfully maneuvering through complex or challenging situations.

FAQs

How can I use "we have lived through" in a sentence?

You can use "we have lived through" to describe shared experiences or events that have significantly impacted a group, such as "we have lived through challenging times" or "we have lived through a historic event".

What can I say instead of "we have lived through"?

Alternatives include "we have experienced", "we have endured", or "we have gone through", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "we have lived through" or "we had lived through"?

"We have lived through" is in the present perfect tense, indicating an experience that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. "We had lived through" is in the past perfect tense, indicating an experience completed before another point in the past. The choice depends on the context and the timeline you are establishing.

What's the difference between "we have lived through" and "we are living through"?

"We have lived through" refers to a past experience that is now complete, while "we are living through" describes an ongoing experience. For example, "we have lived through the economic recession" implies the recession is over, whereas "we are living through a pandemic" indicates the pandemic is still ongoing.