been done over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'been done over' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe something that has been renovated or redecorated, often with more modern features. For example, "The house had been done over and now had a more modern look".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's a type of characterization that's been done over and over again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These sorts of experiments have been done over and over again, and the results reveal the same underlying pattern.

The New York Times

"It looks like she has been done over," said one UK friend, who thought that returning to ITV would at least be a source of consolation.

The Guardian

Great idea, but it's been done over and over and over again, without much success.

TechCrunch

And then all that work that's been done over the years will be undone".

The Guardian

This traditional Australian pub has been done over with sleek wood floors and handsome furniture.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was something that could've been done over the phone," Sprewell acknowledged.

The New York Times - Sports

We're defined by the work that's been done over the last 12 years".

The Guardian - Sport

Much amateur lipreading has been done over whether Smith actually said: "That's bullshit, man".

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think enough has been done over the years to remove these barriers".

The New York Times

A lot of work has been done over the years in contingency planning for a flu pandemic".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been done over" to describe processes or tasks that have been repeated or revised multiple times. For example, "The report has been done over several times to ensure accuracy."

Common error

Avoid using "been done over" in active voice constructions. It's a passive construction, so ensure the subject is receiving the action, not performing it. For example, instead of "He has been done over the project", use "The project has been done over by him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been done over" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has undergone a process or action. Ludwig confirms its proper grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been done over" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes something that has been renovated, revised, or repeated. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it carries a neutral to slightly informal tone. While "been done over" is widely accepted, writers should be mindful of the context and consider more formal alternatives like "been renovated" or "been reworked" for professional or academic settings. Remembering to use this construction in the passive voice will ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been renovated

Focuses specifically on improving or repairing something, often a building or space.

been remodeled

Emphasizes changing the structure or form of something.

been overhauled

Implies a comprehensive and thorough renovation or repair.

been refurbished

Highlights restoring something to its original condition, often with some improvements.

been reworked

Implies a more thorough revision or modification than simply repeating something.

been iterated

Emphasizes a step-by-step process of refinement or improvement.

been repeated

Focuses on the action of doing something again.

been adapted

Highlights changing something to suit new conditions or purposes.

been rehashed

Suggests that something has been discussed or presented again without significant changes.

been reviewed

Focuses on evaluating or assessing something that has been previously done.

FAQs

How can I use "been done over" in a sentence?

You can use "been done over" to indicate that something has been redecorated, renovated, or repeated. For example, "The house has "been renovated" and looks brand new" or "That topic has "been rehashed" many times already".

What's the difference between "been done over" and "been redone"?

"Been done over" often implies a more thorough or extensive process than "been redone". While "been redone" simply means something was done again, "been done over" can suggest a complete transformation or repeated revisions.

What can I say instead of "been done over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "been renovated", "been remodelled", "been rehashed", "been reworked", or "been repeated".

Is "been done over" formal or informal?

"Been done over" is generally considered neutral to informal. It is suitable for everyday conversation and writing but may not be appropriate for highly formal or academic contexts. In those contexts, consider alternatives like "been revised" or "been reworked".