I have been found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have been found" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that someone has discovered your location or existence, often in a context of being lost or hidden. Example: "After hours of searching, I was relieved to hear someone call my name; I have been found at last."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This review focuses on environmental chemicals that (i) have been found to contaminate food, water, and air and (ii) have been reported to influence the function of beta-cells or the immune system.

BioMed Research International

I have been found out.

The New York Times

"I have been found guilty of nothing.

The New York Times

Yet, my wife Cristina and I have been found responsible for his death".

The New Yorker

I have been found guilty of crimes that never happened and there is no evidence.

Independent

I have been found to be interested in these genres: classics, graphic novels, historical fiction, religion, and romance (what, no poststructuralist theory?).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Cases of T-cell lymphoma associated with HTLV-I have been found in clusters in southern Japan (Kyushu) and in the coastal region of Georgia in the United States, but sporadic cases also have been identified.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, when evaluated, MCR-I has been found to be decreased (8, 9, 11).

Diabetes Care

In most cancers that have been examined IGF-I has been found to be a potent regulator of VEGF expression [ 226].

Cancer and Metastasis Reviews

P-I has been found to be differentially produced in shoots, while P-II has been found to occur differentially in stolons or roots [ 8, 11, 18].

BioMed Research International

A virulent clonal strain of P. aeruginosa (Australian epidemic strain I; AES-I) has been found to be widespread in CF patients in eastern Australia.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "I have been found" ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the finding. The passive voice implies an agent, so clarity is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "I have been found" when you actually mean "I found it". The passive construction implies someone else did the finding, so ensure your sentence accurately reflects the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have been found" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. This indicates that the subject (I) is the recipient of the action (being found). Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from personal discovery to legal verdicts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I have been found" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression signifying that one's location or existence has been discovered. Ludwig confirms its versatility, appearing in neutral contexts like news and scientific reports and more personal narratives. Pay attention to its passive construction to avoid confusion with active statements. While alternatives like "I have been located" exist, "I have been found" provides a distinct nuance of relief or resolution, making it a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have been located

Replaces "found" with "located", emphasizing the act of pinpointing one's position.

I have been discovered

Substitutes "found" with "discovered", highlighting the unveiling of one's presence or existence.

My whereabouts are known

Shifts the focus to one's location being known, changing the sentence structure from active to passive.

I am no longer missing

Indicates a transition from a state of being missing to being found, implying a previous search.

I've turned up

Uses the phrasal verb "turn up" as a more informal way of saying one has been found.

I have resurfaced

Suggests a re-emergence after a period of absence or obscurity.

I've been recovered

Implies that someone or something was lost or stolen and has now been retrieved.

They found me

Changes the sentence to an active construction, emphasizing the actions of those who found the speaker.

I am no longer lost

Emphasizes the state of no longer being lost, shifting the focus from the act of finding to the resulting state.

I am accounted for

Indicates that one's presence has been noted and recorded, often in a formal or official context.

FAQs

How can I use "I have been found" in a sentence?

Use "I have been found" to indicate that someone or something has located you after a period of being lost, hidden, or missing. For example, "After wandering in the woods for days, I was overjoyed when I have been found by the search party."

What's the difference between "I have been found" and "I was found"?

"I have been found" implies a completed action with ongoing relevance, whereas "I was found" simply states a past event. "I have been found" suggests the finding has current implications. For example, “I have been found, and now I am safe” emphasizes the current safety resulting from being found.

What can I say instead of "I have been found"?

You can use alternatives like "I have been located", "I have been discovered", or "my whereabouts are known" depending on the context.

Is "I have been found by" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I have been found by" is grammatically correct. It explicitly states who or what performed the action of finding. For instance, "I have been found by the search and rescue team" clearly indicates the finders.