been cleared of

USAGE SUMMARY

"been cleared of" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that someone or something has been declared innocent or free from blame or suspicion. Example: The suspect has been cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The restaurant had been cleared of patrons.

The New Yorker

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has been cleared of violent conduct.

The Guardian - Sport

The crash site had been cleared of people.

The New York Times

The roads had been cleared of fallen logs.

The New York Times

The AFL has been cleared of breaching the Act.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Lee has since been cleared of those charges.

The New York Times

All have been cleared of suspicion and released.

Independent

The camp had been cleared of 'superfluous' persons".

The New Yorker

The former celebrity publicist Max Clifford has been cleared of indecently assaulting a teenage girl.

The Guardian

But no one could have been cleared of those original, mistaken slurs more comprehensively – or faster.

The Guardian

Mostafa has twice been cleared of terrorism offences at trial in the UK.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been cleared of" when you want to emphasize that someone was previously suspected or accused but is now free from blame. It often implies an official process of investigation or review.

Common error

Avoid using "been cleared of" if there was never any accusation or suspicion to begin with. The phrase implies a prior cloud that has now been lifted. For example, don't say "He's been cleared of having breakfast" unless there was some reason to suspect he hadn't.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been cleared of" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has received the action of being cleared. This typically implies an external entity or process has absolved the subject of some accusation or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been cleared of" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to convey that someone or something has been absolved of blame or suspicion, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Primarily used in news and media, its purpose is to report a favorable outcome, often following an investigation. While typically neutral in register, it's essential to ensure a prior accusation or suspicion existed for the phrase to be appropriate. Alternatives such as "been acquitted of" or "been exonerated from" can offer more nuanced meanings depending on the context. Remember, this phrase is all about lifting a cloud of doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been acquitted of

Specifically refers to a legal judgment of not guilty.

found not guilty of

A more formal and legalistic alternative, emphasizing the legal outcome.

been vindicated of

Highlights that someone's innocence has been proven after doubt.

been exonerated from

Implies a complete removal of blame, often after investigation.

been absolved of

Suggests a formal forgiveness or release from guilt.

been freed from

Indicates release from an obligation, duty, or constraint.

had charges dropped

Focuses on the legal process and the cessation of accusations.

been relieved of

Highlights the removal of a burden or responsibility.

been discharged from

Often used in a military or professional context, implying release from duty.

been excused from

Indicates that someone doesn't need to do something.

FAQs

How do I use "been cleared of" in a sentence?

Use "been cleared of" to indicate that someone or something was previously under suspicion but is now free from blame or responsibility. For instance, "The suspect has "been cleared of all charges" due to lack of evidence".

What can I say instead of "been cleared of"?

You can use alternatives like "been acquitted of", "been exonerated from", or "been absolved of" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "been cleared of" or "been cleared from"?

"Been cleared of" is the correct and more common usage. "Been cleared from" is less idiomatic and might suggest a physical clearing or removal, rather than a clearing of blame or suspicion. If you want to say that some object has been physically moved then "been cleared from" is suitable.

What's the difference between "been cleared of" and "found not guilty of"?

"Been cleared of" is a more general term that suggests any form of exoneration. "Found not guilty of" is a specific legal term that indicates a verdict in a court of law. "Found not guilty of" is a formal statement of not having commited a crime, while been cleared of means in general being cleared of some accusation.