been given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been given" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something has been provided or assigned to someone. Example: "She has been given the responsibility of leading the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or could have been given.

Independent

He's been given every chance.

The New York Times

I had been given a do-over.

The New Yorker

How much of money has been given.

The New York Times

No official reason has been given.

The Economist

It has been given to individuals".

The New York Times

They have been given nothing, absolutely nothing.

The New York Times

He had also been given other sedatives.

The New York Times

It has been given the number 196256".

The New Yorker

She, too, has been given stock options.

The New York Times

Clear prior warning should have been given.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been given" to emphasize that someone is the recipient of an action, rather than the actor. For example, "The award has been given to the most deserving candidate" focuses on the recipient of the award.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when the passive voice with "been given" is more appropriate to highlight the recipient of the action. For example, instead of writing "They gave him a promotion", write "He has been given a promotion" to emphasize his receiving the promotion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been given" functions as part of the passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has received something or has been subjected to an action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been given" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for a wide variety of contexts. It is commonly used in news, academic writing, and scientific publications, and its main function is to emphasize the recipient of an action rather than the actor. When using "been given", ensure that you select the correct tense and that the passive voice aligns with your desired emphasis. Consider alternatives such as "received" or "granted" to fine-tune your message. By avoiding the common error of active voice when the passive is more appropriate, you can write more effective and impactful sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received

Focuses on the act of getting or acquiring something, rather than the act of giving.

granted

Implies formal permission or authorization has been bestowed.

awarded

Suggests a prize or honor has been conferred.

bestowed

Indicates a formal or ceremonious giving of something.

presented with

Highlights the act of formally offering something.

conferred upon

Similar to 'bestowed', emphasizing a formal granting.

handed over

Focuses on the physical transfer of something.

provided with

Highlights the act of supplying or furnishing something needed.

endowed with

Suggests being naturally equipped or gifted with something.

furnished with

Implies the provision of necessary items or equipment.

FAQs

How is "been given" used in a sentence?

The phrase "been given" is used in the passive voice to indicate that someone has received something. For example, "She has "been given" a scholarship" means someone gave her a scholarship.

What are some alternatives to "been given"?

Alternatives include "received", "granted", or "awarded", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was given" instead of "has been given"?

Both "was given" and "has been given" are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Was given" refers to a past action, while "has been given" refers to an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

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

"Given" is the past participle of "give". "Been given" is a passive construction that indicates the subject received something, while "given" alone requires an active subject. For example, "She was "been given" a reward" vs. "She has "given" a presentation".