been in reality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been in reality" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concept related to existence or truth, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "I have often wondered if I have truly been in reality or just a figment of my imagination."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The palace was much bigger in our heads than it ever has been in reality," said architect Tilman Latz.

The Guardian - Arts

While this Orwellian regime has been valued by some of Egypt's Western allies as "stable," providing, among other assets, a convenient location for rendition, it has been in reality a ticking bomb and a vehicle for radicalism.

The New York Times

The speech captures the irony of the contradiction between what the real historical treatment of Negroes after slavery and emancipation has been, in reality, in contrast to the principles and precepts enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and bill of rights to our constitution and embodied in the Civil War Freedmans Bureau established in 1865.

The Guardian - Opinion

Farce often pushes someone's behavior a bit beyond what it has been in reality to expose its absurdity or hypocrisy.

Vice

For many of my generation, he retained a special place in our collective imagination, however undeserved it may have been in reality.

Huffington Post

Because Baccano! is a "stylized gangster flick" and because of the nature of anime, he made the dialogue more flowery and lingo-ridden than it would have been in reality.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Another way for it to exist is "in reality".

SEP

There is in reality no Gulliver Theory.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone knew how things were in reality.

The New Yorker

By being — in reality — on TV.

The New York Times

It was, in reality, the opposite.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, consider using alternatives such as "existed in reality" or "actually happened" instead of "been in reality".

Common error

Avoid using "been in reality" when a more precise term like "existed", "occurred", or "happened" can offer better clarity and grammatical correctness. The term can be vague and lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been in reality" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, often aiming to emphasize the actuality or truth of a situation. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it often lacks clarity. The examples in Ludwig show its usage across various contexts, though more precise alternatives might be preferable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been in reality" is used to emphasize the truth or actuality of a situation, but it's often not the most precise or grammatically sound choice. Ludwig AI highlights that clearer alternatives, such as "existed in reality" or "actually happened", can offer better clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations. While found across diverse sources like News & Media and Science, aiming for more direct and understandable phrasing enhances communication. Consider alternatives based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

existed in reality

Replaces "been" with "existed" for a more straightforward expression of existence.

occurred in reality

Substitutes "been" with "occurred," focusing on the actual happening of something.

happened in reality

Uses "happened" instead of "been," emphasizing the event taking place.

is actually the case

Shifts from a past state to a present condition of being true.

is the true situation

Focuses on the authenticity of the circumstance rather than a past state.

is the real state of affairs

Emphasizes the genuine condition of events.

is genuinely the case

Highlights the authenticity and truthfulness of the situation.

is in fact true

Asserts the veracity and actuality of a statement.

is the unvarnished truth

Stresses the honesty and lack of embellishment in the truth being presented.

is the objective reality

Emphasizes the unbiased and factual nature of the reality.

FAQs

What does "been in reality" mean?

The phrase "been in reality" suggests something has truly existed or occurred. However, its usage can be vague and is often better replaced with clearer alternatives like "existed" or "happened".

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

While technically usable, consider if phrases like "existed in reality" or "occurred in reality" might provide better clarity. For example, instead of "The debate has been in reality nonexistent", try "The debate has actually been nonexistent."

Which is correct, "been in reality" or "existed in reality"?

"Existed in reality" is generally more grammatically sound and clearer than "been in reality". While both aim to express the actuality of something, "existed" provides a more direct and understandable meaning.

What are some alternatives to "been in reality"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "actually happened", "truly existed", or "was actually the case" for better clarity.