yet existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "yet existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not come into being or has not been present up to a certain point in time. Example: "The concept of artificial intelligence was not widely understood, and few people had considered the implications of technology that had yet existed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"This was a social engineering experiment that had not yet existed," he said.

The New York Times

It was, they argued, legally irrelevant, since, when the atrocities took place, the statutes against genocide had not yet existed.

The New Yorker

They sought a return not to mere sanity, but to a state of being that had scarcely yet existed.

The New York Times - Books

The character was memorable enough to cause people to ask newsstand vendors for a magazine that featured him, though no such magazine yet existed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So Ms. Spero informed the festival organizers that she would be performing a piece called "Who's Your Daddy?" There was only one problem: no such piece yet existed.

The New York Times

Ford, in ads introducing the Model A, touted the car's simple elegance — "A boy of fifteen can run it" — and promised "IMMEDIATE DELIVERY," though no salable models yet existed.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

No Obama doctrine yet exists.

The New Yorker

Serfdom did not yet exist.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It does not yet exist.

The New York Times - Style

But no such plants yet exist.

The Economist

'National park cities' do not yet exist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "yet existed", ensure the context clearly establishes the timeframe being discussed. This helps avoid ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "yet existed". Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense to avoid grammatical errors and maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "yet existed" functions as a temporal marker within a sentence, indicating that something did not exist at a specific point in the past. As Ludwig AI shows, it commonly appears in historical or descriptive contexts to highlight the absence of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "yet existed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the absence of something at a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. While not overly common, it effectively provides temporal context and emphasizes the development or emergence of something over time. When using this phrase, ensure tense consistency and clarity in the timeframe to maintain grammatical correctness and avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "had not yet come into being" or "did not exist then" depending on the desired tone and formality. Remember that, as shown by the available examples, the phrase suits descriptions and historical contexts, both for abstract and concrete things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was still nonexistent

This phrase emphasizes the absence of something at a particular time.

did not exist at that time

This alternative is more explicit about the time frame when something did not exist.

had not yet arisen

This alternative emphasizes the emergence or beginning of something, rather than its mere existence.

had not been created yet

This option specifically focuses on the act of creation or formation.

was not yet in being

This is a more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying that something did not yet exist.

was not present

A simpler way of saying something did not exist, focusing on its absence.

had not yet come to pass

This phrase suggests that something was anticipated but had not happened or come into existence.

had not materialized

This option implies that something was expected or planned but had not yet taken shape.

was still to be

This option highlights the future potential or inevitability of something's existence.

remained to be seen

This suggests that the existence or manifestation of something was uncertain or in the future.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "yet existed" to sound more formal?

You could use phrases like "had not yet come into being" or "was not yet in existence" to achieve a more formal tone. These alternatives are often suitable for academic or professional writing.

What's a simpler way to say "yet existed"?

A simpler alternative is "did not exist then" or "had not appeared". These options are more direct and easier to understand in casual conversation or less formal writing.

Is it correct to say "has yet existed" instead of "yet existed"?

No, "has yet existed" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "had yet existed" when referring to the past, or "has yet to exist" when referring to the present with implications for the future.

Can I use "yet existed" to describe abstract concepts?

Yes, you can use "yet existed" to describe abstract concepts, ideas, or systems that were not present or conceived at a particular time. For example, "The concept of the internet had not "yet existed" in the early 20th century".