been used

USAGE SUMMARY

"been used" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations when something has been used previously or is still in use. For example: "This technology has been used for centuries to improve communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Never been used.

Independent

They simply haven't been used.

Independent

None have been used.

The New York Times

Has "The Crumble" been used yet?

The New York Times

When the words had all been used.

The New Yorker

Garlands have been used for many purposes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Various nomenclature systems have been used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This procedure has long been used.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Choicer words have been used," he replied.

The New York Times - Science

Spare capacity has been used up.

The Economist

Sphinxes have been used as guardians.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the history or evolution of a tool, method, or concept, use "been used" to illustrate its application over time. For instance: "This technique has "been used" for decades in clinical settings."

Common error

Avoid using "been use" instead of "been used". The latter is the correct past participle form of the verb "to use".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been used" functions as the past participle in the passive voice of the verb "to use". As Ludwig AI shows, it describes actions or states resulting from prior utilization across a wide variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been used" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression widely employed to denote prior utilization or application. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific literature. While appropriate for various registers, its neutrality and prevalence in authoritative sources make it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use the correct tense and avoid common errors, ensuring clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was utilized

Replaces the passive voice construction with a more formal synonym for "used".

has been employed

Emphasizes a deliberate or purposeful application.

was implemented

Focuses on the action of putting something into effect or operation.

saw application

Highlights the occurrence of something being applied in a specific context.

experienced usage

Emphasizes the fact that something was actually put to use.

was put into service

Suggests that something was made operational or functional.

was subjected to use

Highlights that something underwent the process of being used.

has undergone utilization

A more elaborate way of saying something has been actively used.

was leveraged

Indicates strategic use for a specific advantage or outcome.

was consumed

Focuses on something that got used up completely.

FAQs

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

You can use "been used" to describe something that has undergone a process of utilization. For example, "This method has "been used" successfully in the past".

What are some alternatives to "been used"?

Alternatives include "was utilized", "has been employed", or "was implemented", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "been use" instead of "been used"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct form is "been used", which is the past participle of the verb "to use". "Been use" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "being used" and "been used"?

"Being used" implies an ongoing action, while "been used" implies a completed action. For example, "The equipment is being used" versus "The equipment has "been used"".