been handed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been handed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been transferred or delivered to someone else, often in a formal or official context. Example: "The documents have been handed over to the new manager for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has been handed over to prosecutors.

The Economist

They haven't been handed over to anyone.

The Guardian - Film

"They have been handed over to their parents," he said.

The New York Times

The child had been handed over to social services.

The Guardian

(The phones and blankets have been handed over to technicians at an F.B.I. laboratory).

The New Yorker

Tulkarm had been handed over to Palestinian security control only four months before.

The Economist

They claimed the data had been handed over by those countries' spooks.

The Economist

The videos have been handed over to the police for further investigation.

Independent

It's good to see that the boat hasn't been handed over to those people".

Independent

"It's been handed over to military planners," Mark Toner, a State Department spokesman, said on Friday.

The New York Times

These images have been handed over to the police investigation into the assault.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been handed over", ensure the context clearly indicates who transferred what to whom. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "been handed over" without specifying who or what is being transferred. The passive voice should still imply an agent, even if it's not explicitly stated. For instance, instead of 'The matter has been handed over', specify 'The matter has been handed over to the authorities'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been handed over" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has received something from an unspecified agent. It suggests a transfer of responsibility, control, or possession, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been handed over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It serves to communicate a transfer of responsibility or possession, commonly found in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject receiving the action and the context of the transfer. Alternatives such as "been transferred" and "been passed on" can provide nuanced variations, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been transferred

Focuses on the act of moving something from one place or person to another.

been passed on

Emphasizes the act of giving something to someone else, often sequentially.

been relinquished

Highlights the act of voluntarily giving up control or possession.

been ceded

Implies a formal or legal transfer of territory or rights.

been entrusted

Focuses on the act of giving someone responsibility and trust.

been delegated

Specifically refers to the act of assigning a task or responsibility to someone else.

been consigned

Suggests a formal delivery or transfer of goods.

been yielded

Implies surrendering something, often after resistance.

been conveyed

Focuses on communicating or transferring information.

been surrendered

Emphasizes the act of giving up something, often unwillingly.

FAQs

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

You can use "been handed over" to indicate that something has been transferred from one person or entity to another. For example, "The investigation has "been handed over" to the police" or "Responsibility for the project has "been handed over" to the new team".

What are some alternatives to "been handed over"?

Alternatives include "been transferred", "been passed on", or "been delegated", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was handed over" instead of "been handed over"?

Both "was handed over" and "been handed over" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Was handed over" indicates a single event in the past, while "been handed over" is used in perfect tenses (e.g., present perfect, past perfect) to indicate an action completed at some point before another time.

What's the difference between "been handed over" and "handed over"?

"Handed over" is the past tense form of the verb. "Handed over" is used as a simple past tense verb (e.g., 'The documents were handed over yesterday'), whereas ""been handed over"" requires an auxiliary verb (e.g., 'The documents have been handed over').