a contract has been signed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "a contract has been signed" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this sentence when someone has officially agreed to and signed a legal contract, such as an agreement between two business partners. For example: "After several months of negotiations, a contract has been signed between XYZ Corp and ABC Inc."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He says a contract has been signed for the flu line.

The Guardian

A contract has been signed with a Belgian pharmaceutical concern to combat the problem.

The New York Times

This is, of course, fabulous news, the more so since Kramnik's agent Carsten Hensel has confirmed that a contract has been signed.

The Guardian - Sport

From a legal standpoint, there is little that can be done to avoid being gazumped because, until a contract has been signed, the landlord is free to change his or her mind about whom to offer a tenancy.

Independent

So the orders are being placed at the last minute, only after a contract has been signed for a construction job instead of six months in advance in anticipation of the contract.

The New York Times

London & Partners, the promotional agency for London, said a contract has been signed with Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (Icann).

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A contract had been signed for what is now a best-selling business book, "Leadership".

The Economist

Exxon declined to comment, but officials in Kurdistan confirmed that a contract had been signed on Oct. 18.

The New York Times

The church's leaders responded that it was too late: a contract had been signed, and the priest was on his way.

The New York Times

Falcao's uncle, Herbert King, who is currently with the striker on holiday in Colombia, also confirmed to The Guardian that a contract had been signed.

The Guardian - Sport

David M. Krieff, president of Destiny Productions, said in a telephone interview today that a contract had been signed with the Russians and that final details should be resolved "in a few days".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a contract has been signed" when you want to clearly state that a formal agreement is now legally binding.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all obligations are automatically fulfilled once "a contract has been signed". Understand the contract's specific terms and conditions, including deadlines and responsibilities, as further actions may still be required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a contract has been signed" functions as a declarative statement, indicating the completion of the signing process of an agreement. It's used to inform or confirm that a formal agreement is now in effect. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a contract has been signed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a formal agreement has been legally executed. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reliable sources, predominantly from the News & Media sector. While the phrase is not exceptionally frequent, it effectively conveys the completion of a formal agreement, signaling the commencement of associated obligations. When using this phrase, it's essential to understand that a signed contract entails legally binding commitments, not merely an intention to fulfill obligations. Alternatives include phrases such as "an agreement has been finalized" or "the deal is sealed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an agreement has been finalized

Focuses on the completion of an agreement, emphasizing the concluding aspect.

the deal is sealed

Emphasizes the finality and irrevocability of the agreement.

the paperwork is complete

Highlights the administrative aspect of finalizing an agreement.

the agreement is in effect

Focuses on the active status of the contract or agreement.

the terms are agreed upon

Emphasizes the consensus reached before formal signing.

a formal commitment is made

Highlights the binding nature of the agreement.

the undertaking is secured

Implies that the project or endeavor is now officially guaranteed.

signatures are affixed

Focuses on the physical act of signing the contract.

the transaction is closed

Highlights the completion of a business transaction.

the arrangement is official

Emphasizes the authorized and recognized status of the agreement.

FAQs

What does it mean when a contract has been signed?

It signifies that all parties involved have formally agreed to the terms outlined in the document, making it legally binding.

What can I say instead of "a contract has been signed"?

You can use alternatives like "an agreement has been finalized", "the deal is sealed", or "the paperwork is complete".

What are the implications of a contract being signed?

Signing a contract creates legally enforceable obligations. Failure to comply with the terms can result in legal action.

Is "a contract has been signed" the same as "a contract was signed"?

While similar, "a contract has been signed" implies a more recent signing with potentially ongoing relevance, whereas "a contract was signed" refers to a completed action in the past.