case has been closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "case has been closed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a legal case that has been concluded, presumably being dismissed or ruled in favor of one side. For example, "After five years of litigation, the court finally decided that the plaintiff's case had no merit and the case has been closed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

" The seller will be notified that the case has been closed, and both of you will receive emails regarding the closed case.

WikiHow

"I feel good that the case has been closed.

The New York Times

The case has been closed, with some accountability for BAE and some reparations for Tanzania.

The Guardian

The active file on this case has been closed and will remain in BBB files for three years".

The New York Times

The CCRC was informed of his prison confession and contacted him asking him if he wanted to withdraw his claim, and his case has been closed.

Independent

"They don't have press conferences to announce that a case has been closed," said one lawyer familiar with Mr. Taffet's situation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

His case had been closed.

The New York Times

But she said she learned from a Brooklyn prosecutor that the case had been closed.

The New York Times

Baikal Wave did not learn that the software piracy case had been closed until recently.

The New York Times

When I called a few days later, the case had been closed.

Independent

An investigation later revealed that Faheem's case had been closed prematurely despite serious allegations of abuse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "case has been closed" to clearly indicate the conclusion of a formal process, such as a legal case, investigation, or customer service issue. Ensure that the context is appropriate and that the audience understands the implications of the case being closed.

Common error

Avoid using "case has been closed" when the situation is merely paused or temporarily inactive. Ensure all parties understand the case is fully resolved and no further action will be taken. Using the phrase prematurely can lead to confusion and potential legal or ethical issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "case has been closed" functions as a declarative statement indicating the completion of a particular process or investigation. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in legal, administrative, and customer service contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "case has been closed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote the conclusion of a formal process, such as a legal case, investigation, or customer service issue. According to Ludwig AI, its function is to inform that a specific matter is concluded, and it is generally used in neutral to professional settings. The expression is most frequently found in news and media sources. When using the phrase, ensure the context is appropriate and the audience understands the implications of the closure. It is important to differentiate the use of the expression from phrases such as case has been resolved, where that expression focuses on the outcome of the case, and this phrase emphasizes the procedural aspect of closing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the matter is resolved

Focuses on the resolution of the matter, rather than the formal closing of a case.

the issue is settled

Implies a conclusion has been reached, typically after some debate or disagreement.

the file is shut

Emphasizes the administrative action of closing a file, rather than the overall resolution.

the investigation is complete

Highlights the end of an investigative process.

the proceedings are finalized

Focuses on the formal completion of legal or administrative proceedings.

the claim is dismissed

Specifically refers to the rejection of a claim, often in a legal context.

the dispute is over

Highlights the end of a conflict or disagreement.

the situation is concluded

Suggests that a particular set of circumstances has come to an end.

the incident is closed

Specifically refers to an incident that is now considered finished and no longer under investigation or active consideration.

no further action is required

Indicates that all necessary steps have been taken and no additional steps are needed.

FAQs

What does it mean when a case has been closed?

When a "case has been closed", it signifies that a formal process, such as a legal proceeding, investigation, or customer service inquiry, has been concluded. It implies that no further action will be taken, and the matter is considered resolved.

What can I say instead of "case has been closed"?

You can use alternatives like "the matter is resolved", "the issue is settled", or "no further action is required" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "case has been closed" in informal communication?

While generally suitable for formal contexts, "case has been closed" can be used in informal communication if you want to emphasize the finality of a situation. However, consider using simpler language like "it's done" or "we're finished with that" for clarity.

What's the difference between "case has been closed" and "case has been resolved"?

While similar, "case has been closed" emphasizes the procedural aspect of concluding a case, whereas "case has been resolved" focuses on the outcome of the case. A case can be closed without being fully resolved to everyone's satisfaction, such as when a case is dismissed due to lack of evidence.