been forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

"been forgotten" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a form of the verb "to forget" in the past participle tense. Example sentence: The memories of that day had been forgotten until recently.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She hadn't been forgotten.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's been forgotten".

The New York Times

This lesson has been forgotten.

The New York Times

Wallace has been forgotten.

The Guardian

She hasn't been forgotten.

The New York Times

Has Kosovo been forgotten?

The Guardian

"Pataki's already been forgotten.

The New York Times

Had they been forgotten?

The Guardian

Nothing has been forgotten.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I figured I had been forgotten.

The New York Times

Pasta lovers, you haven't been forgotten.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been forgotten" when you want to emphasize that something was once known or important, but is no longer remembered or considered.

Common error

Avoid using "been forgotten" when you mean something is simply unknown or never existed. "Been forgotten" implies a prior state of being known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been forgotten" functions as the past participle in the passive perfect construction. It indicates that something has undergone the action of being forgotten, emphasizing a completed action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been forgotten" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive perfect construction. It serves to communicate that something has undergone the action of being forgotten and is no longer remembered or considered. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is most commonly found in neutral and professional contexts, particularly in news and media sources. While versatile, it is important to use it accurately, ensuring that the subject was indeed once known before being forgotten. Consider alternatives like "slipped from memory" or "no longer recalled" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer recalled

Simply states that something is not remembered.

left unremembered

Focuses on the state of not being remembered.

slipped from memory

Emphasizes the gradual process of something leaving one's memory.

faded into obscurity

Suggests a gradual decline in importance or recognition.

become a distant memory

Highlights the temporal distance and fading nature of the memory.

passed into oblivion

Indicates a complete disappearance from memory or awareness.

lost to time

Indicates that time has caused something to be forgotten.

relegated to the past

Highlights the act of pushing something into the background.

consigned to oblivion

Emphasizes the act of being deliberately forgotten or ignored.

fallen by the wayside

Suggests being neglected or abandoned.

FAQs

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

You can use "been forgotten" to describe something that was once known or remembered but is no longer so. For instance, "The details of the agreement have "been forgotten" over time."

What are some alternatives to "been forgotten"?

Some alternatives to "been forgotten" include "slipped from memory", "faded into obscurity", or "no longer recalled" depending on the specific context.

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

While "was forgotten" can sometimes be used, "been forgotten" emphasizes a state resulting from a past action that continues to the present. "Was forgotten" simply describes a past event. For instance, "The town was forgotten" means it was forgotten at some point, whereas "The town has been forgotten" implies it remains forgotten.

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

"Forgotten" is the past participle used to form perfect tenses or as an adjective, while "been forgotten" is the passive perfect form of the verb. For example, "The key is forgotten" (adjective). "The key has "been forgotten"" (passive perfect).