we have tolerated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have tolerated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that a certain behavior or situation has been accepted or endured over a period of time. Example: "For too long, we have tolerated the negative impact of pollution on our environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

But in government, we have tolerated multiple rate cards for years.

The Guardian

This is a situation we have tolerated for too long, and it needs to change.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We have tolerated people coming here from abroad and allowed them to say what we want.

The Guardian

"We have tolerated a system that has proved unfit and that has led to a shocking devaluation of our society".

The Guardian - Business

For too long, we have tolerated poor personal conduct, frequently even immoral, unethical and illegal behavior, in our political leaders.

The New York Times

Given our anxiety about tainted mails, it seems logical that we stop the waste of natural resources that we have tolerated in our mailboxes each day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We've tolerated him and still do.

The New York Times

We should remind ourselves that we didn't go into Afghanistan to get rid of the Taliban per se but rather to get rid of the regime that harboured al-Qaida, which we did; we had tolerated the Taliban running Afghanistan for some years as a better alternative to the civil war that preceded it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She says we're going to democratize Iraq, and I said, 'Condi, you're not going to democratize Iraq,' and she said, 'You know, you're just stuck in the old days,' and she comes back to this thing that we've tolerated an autocratic Middle East for fifty years and so on and so forth," he said.

The New Yorker

Duffy however commented in a statement released by the University yesterday, saying: "While we had made it clear to occupiers that their sit-in was unacceptable, we had tolerated it for several weeks because we could contain it without undue disruption to the day-to-day operation of the University.

Independent

We've tolerated immorality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have tolerated" to express acceptance of a long-standing issue or behavior, particularly when implying a need for change. For example, "For too long, "we have tolerated" inadequate funding for public education."

Common error

Avoid using "we have tolerated" when describing situations that demand immediate intervention. This phrase suggests a passive acceptance, which may undermine the urgency of the issue. Instead, use phrases that convey a need for immediate action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have tolerated" primarily functions as a statement expressing acceptance or endurance of something over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing examples where it is used to indicate a situation that has been allowed to continue, often with negative implications.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

21%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we have tolerated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that a group has allowed or endured something, often negative, over time. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is frequently employed in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science contexts to express dissatisfaction or resignation, often leading to a call for change. When writing, use "we have tolerated" to imply a need for change regarding a long-standing issue. However, be careful to avoid using it when describing situations requiring immediate action. Alternatives include "we have endured" or "we have allowed", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have put up with

Changes "tolerated" to a more colloquial term, implying a reluctant acceptance.

we have endured

Replaces "tolerated" with a stronger word suggesting hardship and perseverance.

we have permitted

Focuses on the act of allowing something to happen, rather than simply bearing it.

we have allowed

Similar to "permitted" but can imply a more passive acceptance.

we have countenanced

A more formal synonym for "tolerated", suggesting tacit approval.

we have stood for

Implies acceptance of a behavior or situation, often with a sense of disapproval.

we have accommodated

Suggests making adjustments to fit with something, rather than simply tolerating it.

we have borne

A more literary synonym for "endured", highlighting the burden of what is tolerated.

we have lived with

Implies a long-term acceptance of something, often something negative.

we have been lenient with

Shifts the focus to showing mercy or indulgence toward someone or something.

FAQs

What does "we have tolerated" mean?

The phrase "we have tolerated" means that a group of people has allowed or endured something, often something negative, to continue for a period of time.

What can I say instead of "we have tolerated"?

You can use alternatives like "we have endured", "we have allowed", or "we have put up with" depending on the context.

Is "we have tolerated" grammatically correct?

Yes, "we have tolerated" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense to indicate an action (tolerating) that started in the past and continues to the present or has present consequences.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we have tolerated"?

It's appropriate to use "we have tolerated" when you want to emphasize that a situation or behavior has been accepted or endured for too long, often implying that a change is needed. For example, "For too long, "we have tolerated" the negative impact of pollution on our environment".