been defined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been defined" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where something has been established or described in a specific way, often in reference to concepts, terms, or parameters. Example: "The term 'sustainability' has been defined in various ways by different organizations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His new position has not been defined.

The New York Times - Sports

Six EBV classes have been defined.

Nature

Continue this process until has been defined.

Stanford University

"The will of the people has been defined," he said.

The New York Times

Batman has always been defined by his Batwear.

The Guardian - Film

Haiti's existence has largely been defined by chaos.

The New York Times

Miyamoto's career at Nintendo has been defined by his tenacity.

The Guardian - Tech

The concept of sustainable development has been defined as profitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Terms such as radicalisation have not been defined or quantified.

The Guardian

Their careers have been defined by big right hands.

The New York Times - Sports

Our era has been defined by falling monuments.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been defined", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the defining. This adds clarity and authority to your statement.

Common error

While "been defined" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing with an active voice to make your sentences more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been defined" functions as part of the passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of defining has been completed. This structure is commonly used when the actor performing the definition is unknown or less important than the thing being defined. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. As a passive perfect construction, it commonly appears in academic, scientific, and news contexts, serving to establish a shared understanding of terms and concepts. While appropriate for formal writing, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for stronger sentence structure. The prevalence of examples from sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Nature underscores its widespread acceptance and utility in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been determined

Focuses on the act of determining something, often implying a more conclusive or precise finding.

has been established

Emphasizes the creation or confirmation of something, such as a rule or standard.

has been clarified

Highlights the process of making something clearer or easier to understand.

has been specified

Indicates that something has been described in detail or with precision.

has been characterized

Focuses on describing the distinctive nature or features of something.

has been designated

Implies that something has been officially chosen or assigned a particular role.

has been identified

Highlights the act of recognizing or discovering something.

has been delineated

Emphasizes the process of marking or defining the boundaries of something.

has been explained

Focuses on providing a clear and understandable account of something.

has been interpreted

Highlights the act of understanding or explaining the meaning of something in a particular way.

FAQs

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

You can use "been defined" to indicate that something has had its meaning or characteristics established. For example, "The term 'sustainability' has "been defined" in various ways by different organizations."

What are some alternatives to "been defined"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has been determined", "has been established", or "has been clarified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "define"?

While "been defined" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice (e.g., "Researchers define...") can sometimes make your writing more direct and impactful. The best choice depends on the context and your desired emphasis.

What's the difference between ""been defined"" and "defined"?

"Been defined" is used in the passive perfect tense to indicate that something has been defined at some point in the past. "Defined" can be the past tense (e.g., "They defined the term yesterday") or a participial adjective (e.g., "the well-defined term").