already been appropriated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "already been appropriated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been taken or claimed for a specific use or purpose prior to the current moment. Example: "The funds for the project have already been appropriated, so we need to find alternative sources of financing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

By law, the government is supposed to pay out money that's already been appropriated.

The Washington Post

However, Mr. Fuller said agencies would not likely cancel existing contracts, since the money for these has already been appropriated.

The New York Times

I'm willing to bet that they will have already been appropriated long before the first glint of daylight.

The New York Times

The $50 million had already been appropriated for the Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health.

The New York Times

The Bush doctrine -- or at least the rhetoric -- has already been appropriated by Russia against Georgia, by India against Pakistan.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're always concerned when we're using taxpayer money to pay for the credit subsidy, but this is money that's already been appropriated," the spokesman, Robert Dillon, said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In coastal temperate regions this technology may have significant potential to meet local energy demand, particularly in areas where the expansion of terrestrial biofuel production is limited due to high percentages of net primary productivity (NPP) already being appropriated for human use, such as the north Atlantic Coast of North America and Europe, and the western seaboard of South America.

Biotechnology for Biofuels

Indeed, it may already be appropriate to start thinking about the country as 15 markets, maybe more.

Harvard Business Review

(The names of Uranus's children, the Titans, already had been appropriated for Saturn's moons).

Encyclopedia Britannica

As gender-queer identities become more socially accepted, we can already see the androgynous trend being appropriated by famous designers all over Europe and the U.S.

HuffPost

"The city is completely anti-night life, so it makes sense that people are appropriating these already existing spaces, without taking them over completely".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "already been appropriated", ensure the context clearly indicates what was appropriated and for what purpose. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "already been appropriated" when the appropriation is currently in progress or has not yet occurred. Use the appropriate tense to maintain accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "already been appropriated" functions as a passive construction indicating a completed action. It describes that something (typically funds or resources) has previously undergone the process of appropriation. This usage aligns with Ludwig examples demonstrating its role in financial and resource allocation contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "already been appropriated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression signifying that resources or funds have been previously allocated for a specific purpose. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it appears most commonly in news, scientific, and business contexts, indicating a neutral register applicable across diverse communication styles. The expression is often used to clarify the status of resources or justify decisions based on prior allocation commitments. Ludwig AI also confirms its usability. To ensure clarity, specify what was appropriated and its intended purpose. Alternatives such as "previously allocated" or "already earmarked" may be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

previously allocated

Focuses on the allocation aspect, emphasizing that the funds or resources were assigned before.

already earmarked

Highlights that the resources were specifically designated for a purpose in advance.

previously assigned

Emphasizes the act of assigning resources to a specific task or entity beforehand.

already designated

Stresses that the resources were officially marked for a particular use earlier.

previously claimed

Focuses on the act of claiming something for a purpose before the current situation.

already taken

Implies that something has been removed or used prior to the present moment.

previously utilized

Highlights the prior use of something, shifting focus to the action of using.

already consumed

Focuses on the fact that something has been used up before.

already expended

Emphasizes that resources have been spent or used up in the past.

previously committed

Stresses the prior dedication of resources to a specific purpose or project.

FAQs

How is "already been appropriated" used in a sentence?

Use "already been appropriated" to indicate that funds or resources have previously been allocated for a specific purpose. For example: "The budget for that project has "already been appropriated"."

What are some alternatives to "already been appropriated"?

You can use alternatives like "previously allocated", "already earmarked", or "previously assigned" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the funds are already appropriated" instead of "the funds have already been appropriated"?

While "the funds are already appropriated" might be understood, "the funds have "already been appropriated"" is grammatically more precise as it uses the present perfect passive voice, indicating a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "already been appropriated" and "yet to be appropriated"?

"Already been appropriated" means funds or resources have been allocated, while "yet to be appropriated" signifies that the allocation process has not started or concluded. They are opposites in meaning.