been borrowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been borrowed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something has been taken or used by someone else, often temporarily. Example: "The book has been borrowed from the library for a month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The balance have been "borrowed" by other constructors.

The New York Times

Elements of the competition have been borrowed from other sports.

The New York Times - Sports

Much of the Estonian vocabulary has been borrowed from German.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This year, 151 books have been borrowed by 14 people.

The Guardian

Mr. Cadillac's own heraldry appears to have been borrowed or concocted, by some accounts.

The New York Times

Though some of the drones have been borrowed from the military, the CIA flies the missions.

The Economist

As the bus goes between breweries, it's clear lessons have been borrowed from the wineries.

Independent

Apparently, it had been "borrowed" from a nearby church destroyed in the Soviet era.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Buchin said that concept had been borrowed from the popular European-style Pain Quotidien restaurants.

The New York Times

Selling a stock that has not been borrowed is called naked shorting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

A forensic accountant can uncover money that may have been borrowed from the association and returned.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been borrowed" when you want to emphasize that something was taken temporarily or with the intention of returning it, or when referring to the adoption of ideas or words from another source.

Common error

Avoid using "been borrowed" when something has been permanently acquired or stolen. Opt for words like "stolen", "appropriated", or "adopted" instead to accurately reflect the permanence of the acquisition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been borrowed" typically functions as part of the passive voice of the verb 'borrow'. It indicates that something has been received temporarily or adopted from another source. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been borrowed" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express that something has been temporarily taken or adopted from another source. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across various fields, including news, encyclopedias, and science. While it's versatile, remember to use it accurately, particularly noting that borrowing implies temporary use or adoption, as opposed to permanent acquisition. Related phrases like "was adopted" or "has been derived" can offer nuanced alternatives. The sources demonstrate that this phrase is commonly used and well-accepted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was taken from

Employs the verb "taken", simplifying the phrasing and focusing on the act of removal.

was appropriated

Changes the verb to "appropriated", suggesting a more deliberate act of taking something for one's own use.

was derived from

Substitutes "borrowed" with "derived", highlighting the origin or source of something.

was adopted

Substitutes "borrowed" with "adopted", highlighting the idea of taking something and using it as your own.

has been adapted

Replaces "borrowed" with "adapted", indicating a modification to fit a new context or purpose.

was replicated

Replaces "borrowed" with "replicated", which highlights an identical duplication.

has been sourced from

Replaces with "sourced from", emphasizing the place or method from which something was obtained.

has been imitated

Employs "imitated", suggesting a replication of style or manner rather than a physical borrowing.

was cloned

Uses "cloned" to imply an exact copy of something, more suited for technical or scientific contexts.

has been influenced by

Replaces "borrowed" with "influenced by", indicating the fact that something has impacted another.

FAQs

How can I use "been borrowed" in a sentence?

You can use "been borrowed" in sentences like, "The idea has "been borrowed" from another study", or "The book has "been borrowed" from the library."

What's a synonym for "been borrowed"?

Synonyms for "been borrowed" include "been adopted", "been taken", or "been derived", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was borrowed" instead of "been borrowed"?

Yes, both "was borrowed" and "been borrowed" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Was borrowed" is used in the simple past tense (e.g., "The car was borrowed yesterday"), while "been borrowed" is used in the present perfect or past perfect tenses (e.g., "The car has "been borrowed" several times", or "The car had "been borrowed" before it broke down").

What is the difference between "been borrowed" and "been lent"?

"Been borrowed" means to have received something from someone with the intention of returning it, while "been lent" means to have given something to someone with the expectation of its return. The subject receiving is the one who borrows, the subject giving is the one who lends.