been heard of

USAGE SUMMARY

"been heard of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to express that someone or something is known or familiar. For example, "Have you heard of Albert Einstein? He's been heard of all around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None have been heard of since.

Independent

They have not been heard of since.

The Guardian

Mr Ai has not been heard of since being bundled away.

The Economist

For the past year-and-a-half, little has been heard of Zoe.

Independent

Another friend who was caught in the same incident hadn't been heard of since.

The New Yorker

I'm talking about places where a few years earlier the Internet had never been heard of.

The New York Times

And then Fallmerayer left; nothing has ever been heard of him since".

The New York Times - Books

In the first place, the Nasra & Jihad group had never been heard of before.

The Guardian

The term "Obambi" entered the lexicon late last year, but has barely been heard of late.

The New York Times

Served his sentence in solitary confinement and has not been heard of since.

The Guardian

Why hasn't it been heard of outside China and Hong Kong?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been heard of" to indicate that someone or something is known or familiar, especially when discussing past events or historical context. For example, "Before the internet, this concept had never "been heard of"".

Common error

Avoid using "been heard of" when you need an active voice construction. For example, instead of "The company has been heard of by everyone", consider "Everyone has heard of the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been heard of" functions as part of a passive construction, typically within a present perfect or past perfect tense. It indicates that someone or something is known or has gained recognition. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been heard of" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote familiarity or recognition, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions within passive constructions, often in the present or past perfect tenses. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, this phrase serves to indicate whether something or someone is known or recognized. Remember to use it in appropriate contexts, such as "Before the internet, this concept had never "been heard of"". While alternatives like "been known about" or "gained recognition" exist, "been heard of" effectively conveys that something has come to public awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been known about

Focuses on the knowledge or awareness of something rather than the act of hearing.

been aware of

Highlights the state of being conscious or informed about something.

been recognized

Emphasizes the acknowledgment or acceptance of something.

gained recognition

Focuses on the process of becoming known or recognized.

become famous

Highlights the attainment of widespread popularity or fame.

achieved notoriety

Implies gaining fame, often for negative or controversial reasons.

established a reputation

Focuses on building a long-term image or standing.

made a name for oneself

Highlights the active creation of a reputation or identity.

left a mark

Implies a lasting impact or influence.

become a household name

Indicates widespread familiarity and recognition among the general public.

FAQs

What does "been heard of" mean?

The phrase "been heard of" means that someone or something is known or recognized. It implies that information about the person or thing has circulated and reached a certain level of awareness.

How can I use "been heard of" in a sentence?

You can use "been heard of" to indicate familiarity or recognition. For example, "That band hadn't "been heard of" until they won the music award", or "This technology had never "been heard of" before the 21st century".

What can I say instead of "been heard of"?

Alternatives include "been known about", "been recognized", or "gained recognition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been heard of" or "had been heard of"?

Both "has been heard of" and "had been heard of" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Has been heard of" is present perfect and describes something that is known now, while "had been heard of" is past perfect and describes something that was known at a point in the past.