we have watched

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "we have watched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something you have seen or done in the past. For example: "We have watched many inspiring films together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We have watched them grow".

The New York Times

"We have watched the glaciers shrink steadily.

The Guardian

It sounds like a drama we have watched before.

The New York Times

We have watched in admiration as this collection has grown".

The New York Times - Arts

We have watched the graphic depictions on Wednesday nights.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We have watched as her killers roamed free.

The Guardian

"We have watched the last few games and they have done exceptionally well.

Independent

We have watched the moon travel across the sky through our bedroom window.

The New York Times

"We have watched for years as jobs have left America for other countries," he said.

The New York Times

And we have watched potential movie stars of the future blossom before our eyes.

The New York Times

We have watched as millions of our fellow countrymen have fallen into poverty.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: "we have watched" can imply a passive observation or an active monitoring, so choose it when the nuance fits your intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid overuse in passive constructions where a more direct and active voice would be clearer and more engaging. Replace with phrases like "we observed" or "we monitored" where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have watched" functions as the main clause subject and auxiliary verb plus past participle construction, forming the present perfect tense. This indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Academia

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we have watched" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote observation and experience over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is correct English. Its prevalence in news and media, along with its presence in academic and scientific contexts, shows its versatility. While alternatives like ""we have observed"" or ""we have seen"" may be suitable in some situations, "we have watched" specifically emphasizes a duration of observation, granting it a unique nuance. Common errors include overuse in passive constructions, which should be avoided. When aiming to denote long-term observation and gathered experience, "we have watched" is an apt and useful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we've observed

Uses a different verb with a similar meaning.

we've seen

Employs a more direct and common verb for observation.

we have witnessed

Offers a more formal and impactful alternative.

we've been following

Suggests a continuous monitoring of something.

we have monitored

Implies a more systematic and careful observation.

we've kept an eye on

Presents a more informal and casual way of saying "we have watched".

we've been aware of

Focuses on being informed about something.

we have noted

Highlights the act of taking notice of something.

we've paid attention to

Emphasizes focused observation.

we have tracked

Implies following the development or movement of something.

FAQs

How can I use "we have watched" in a sentence?

You can use "we have watched" to describe something you have observed over a period of time, such as "We have watched the company grow from a small startup to a global leader."

What are some alternatives to "we have watched"?

Alternatives include "we have observed", "we have seen", or "we have witnessed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we watched" grammatically the same as "we have watched"?

While both are grammatically correct, "we watched" refers to a completed action in the past, while "we have watched" implies a past action with relevance to the present or a continuous action up to the present.

When is it better to use "we have watched" instead of "we saw"?

"We have watched" is preferable when you want to emphasize the duration or continuity of the observation. "We saw" is better when you want to simply state that you observed something at a specific point in the past.