Used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into or have direct relevance to the present.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But one MP's analysis would have convinced Sir Keir that he was right – from the point of view of political survival – to have vetoed the mayor's candidacy.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
Russia voted for the ban on supplying luxury good to North Korea, even though as a permanent Security Council member, it could have vetoed the resolution.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 19, 2024
Some villages have vetoed the presence of a military honor guard at the burials, while others denied relatives the use of public spaces to accommodate mourners.
From New York Times ● Mar. 26, 2023
“It’s kind of counterintuitive for Newsom to have vetoed it. I don’t really get it because he’s been in favor of early childhood education.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 6, 2022
Had the Board known what he was about to do they would have vetoed it; but when they did discover what was afoot it was too late to prevent the situation.
From Deep Furrows by Hopkins Moorhouse
