been made of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been made of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the material or substance from which something is constructed or composed. Example: "The sculpture has been made of recycled materials, showcasing the artist's commitment to sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

What criticisms have been made of them?

The New York Times

They have been made of plastic.

The Economist

Has too much been made of it?

The New York Times

Much has been made of this.

The New York Times

"Nothing would have been made of it.

The Guardian

Much has been made of this fact.

The New York Times - Arts

"Too much has been made of friendship.

The New York Times

No allegations have been made of a sexual nature.

Independent

They have been made of pigs' bladders and sheep's intestines.

The Economist

They have been made of rubber (natural and synthetic).

The Economist

Much has been made of Gallagher's mixed parentage.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been made of" to clearly indicate the constituent materials or components of an object or concept. This is especially effective in technical writing or descriptions where precision is key.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "been made of" when active voice could be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The decision has been made of him," consider "He made the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been made of" functions as a passive construction used to describe the composition or material origin of an object or concept. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase to specify the substance from which something is created. For example, "They have been made of rubber" shows the composition of a material.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been made of" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the composition or material origin of an object or concept. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is typically employed to describe the material or substance from which something is constructed or composed. It appears frequently in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using "been made of", clarity is key: specify the materials to enhance understanding. Alternatives such as ""composed of"" and ""constructed from"" offer nuanced ways to convey the same meaning, while overuse of the passive voice should be avoided for a more direct style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

composed of

Focuses on the constituent elements rather than the process of creation.

constructed from

Emphasizes the act of building or assembling something.

consisting of

Highlights the components included in something.

manufactured from

Implies a more industrial or large-scale production process.

fashioned from

Suggests a more artistic or skilled creation process.

built with

Similar to "constructed from", but can also imply a more fundamental or essential aspect.

created out of

Emphasizes the source materials used in the creation.

assembled from

Highlights the putting together of different parts.

derived from

Focuses on the origin or source of the materials.

produced using

Highlights the method or technique used in making something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "been made of" is used to describe the materials or components from which something is created. For example, "The statue has "been made of" bronze" or "The cake has "been made of" flour, sugar, and eggs".

What are some alternatives to "been made of"?

Some alternatives to "been made of" include "composed of", "constructed from", or "consisting of". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "made of" or "made from"?

"Made of" is used when the original material is still recognizable in the final product (e.g., "The table is made of wood"). "Made from" is used when the original material has been changed in the process (e.g., "The paper is made from trees").

What's the difference between "been made of" and "was made of"?

"Been made of" is used in perfect tenses (e.g., "It has "been made of" steel"), indicating a past action with relevance to the present. "Was made of" is used in the simple past tense (e.g., "It was "made of" steel"), indicating a completed action in the past.