been imagined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been imagined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing something that has been conceived or thought of in the past. Example: "Many possibilities have been imagined for the future of technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Certainly, and it has been imagined before.

The Economist

Traditionally, two pathways had been imagined.

The Guardian

It could only have been imagined by Smith.

The Guardian - Books

Many more uses probably haven't even been imagined.

The New York Times

Back in 2006, little of this could have been imagined.

The New Yorker

The angel's wings might have been imagined by a child.

The Guardian - Arts

In the war, Franks accorded the Special Forces a bigger role than had ever been imagined.

The New Yorker

First, Afghanistan poses less of a threat to global security than has been imagined.

The New York Times

The setting — the aquarium lobby — was not quite as dramatic as might have been imagined.

The New Yorker

"Emissions are falling faster than could have been imagined," she said.

The New York Times

Augmented reality has long been imagined in science fiction, written about and filmed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been imagined" to indicate that something has been conceived or envisioned, particularly in contexts discussing possibilities, plans, or creative endeavors. Consider the nuance each word provides and if another choice fits better.

Common error

Avoid using "been imagined" when referring to something currently being imagined or that will be imagined in the future. "Is being imagined" or "will be imagined" are more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been imagined" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that the action of imagining was completed at some point in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately reflects past ideation, as evidenced in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been imagined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that something was conceived or envisioned in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability across contexts. While predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its usage is versatile. When writing, ensure the tense aligns with the intended meaning and context, and consider alternatives like "been conceived" or "been envisioned" for subtle variations in meaning. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ "been imagined" to add depth and clarity to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

been conceived

Replaces "imagined" with "conceived", emphasizing the formation of an idea or plan.

been envisioned

Substitutes "imagined" with "envisioned", highlighting the act of visualizing a future possibility.

been conceived of

Adds "of" to "conceived", providing an alternative way to express the creation of an idea.

been dreamt up

Uses "dreamt up" instead of "imagined", suggesting a more fanciful or creative origin.

been prefigured

Replaces "imagined" with "prefigured", indicating that something was foreshadowed or anticipated.

been conceptualized

Substitutes "imagined" with "conceptualized", emphasizing the formation of a concept or abstract idea.

been preconceived

Uses "preconceived" instead of "imagined", suggesting a prior notion or idea.

been simulated

Replaces "imagined" with "simulated", focusing on the creation of a model or imitation.

been hypothesized

Substitutes "imagined" with "hypothesized", indicating the formation of a testable explanation.

been predicted

Uses "predicted" instead of "imagined", suggesting the anticipation of a future event.

FAQs

How is "been imagined" used in a sentence?

"Been imagined" is used to describe something that was thought of, envisioned, or conceived in the past. For example, "The possibilities have "been imagined" for many years."

What are some alternatives to "been imagined"?

Alternatives include "been conceived", "been envisioned", or "been prefigured", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was imagined" instead of "had been imagined"?

Both "was imagined" and "had been imagined" can be correct, depending on the context. "Was imagined" describes a single act of imagining in the past, while "had been imagined" describes an act of imagining that occurred before another point in the past.

Can "been imagined" be used in a future tense?

No, "been imagined" is a past participle construction, so it cannot be used in the future tense. To express a future act of imagining, you would use phrases like "will be imagined" or "will have been imagined."