has been branded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been branded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been labeled or identified in a particular way, often in a marketing or reputational context. Example: "The product has been branded as eco-friendly, appealing to environmentally conscious consumers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Wang has been branded a "traitor".

The New York Times

Each has been branded a tax dodger by activists.

The Economist

Any critic of the Olympics has been branded an enemy.

The Economist

For years, he has been branded as a scurrilous opportunist.

The New Yorker

Assad himself has been branded a war criminal.

The New Yorker

The tactic has been branded "suicide bidding" by other agents.

The Guardian - Business

Hester's "A" — for "Aborter" — has been branded on her chest.

The New Yorker

The UK has been branded a "bit player" by a former high-ranking Nato commander.

Independent

Singh has been branded "out of control" after consistently ignoring advice from colleagues.

Independent

The scene of Samantha in the souk has been branded insulting to Muslims.

The New York Times

It has been met by widespread protests and has been branded "counter-revolutionary".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotations of "branded." It can suggest both positive marketing and negative labeling, depending on the context.

Common error

While "has been branded" is grammatically sound, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak or evasive. When appropriate, consider using active voice to clearly identify who is doing the branding, e.g., "Critics have branded the policy as a failure."

Linguistic Context

"Has been branded" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has received a specific label, often with the intention of shaping perception or reputation. Ludwig shows this usage across various contexts, demonstrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been branded" is a versatile linguistic tool, primarily employed to convey how a subject is perceived or presented, often with deliberate intention. As verified by Ludwig, its grammatical correctness and widespread use, especially within news and media, confirm its acceptability in standard English. While alternatives such as "has been labeled" or "has been characterized as" exist, "has been branded" uniquely emphasizes the act of creating a specific image or association. When employing this phrase, consider the potential for both positive and negative connotations. Remember, while the passive voice construction is correct, active voice alternatives may improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been labeled

Replaces "branded" with a more neutral term, indicating a straightforward assignment of a label.

has been tagged

Similar to labeled, but often implies a more informal or digital form of identification.

has been identified as

More formal and precise, suggesting a careful or official determination of identity.

has been characterized as

Focuses on describing the nature or qualities of something, rather than just its label.

has been considered as

Implies a degree of subjective judgment or opinion in the assignment of a label.

has been known as

Highlights the established or widespread recognition of something by a particular name or description.

has been named

A simple and direct way of indicating the official designation of something.

has been typecast as

Suggests a restrictive or limiting label, often in the context of media or performance.

has been pigeonholed as

Similar to typecast, implying a narrow or unfair categorization.

has gained a reputation for

Shifts the focus to the established perception or public image of something.

FAQs

How can I use "has been branded" in a sentence?

You can use "has been branded" to describe how something is perceived or presented. For example, "The new product "has been branded" as eco-friendly to attract environmentally conscious consumers."

What are some alternatives to "has been branded"?

Alternatives include "has been labeled", "has been identified as", or "has been characterized as", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with the word "branded"?

While "has been branded" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "They branded the product") can make your writing more direct and impactful. Choose the voice that best suits the context and your intended emphasis.

What does "branded" imply when used in a negative context?

In a negative context, "branded" can imply that someone or something has been unfairly or negatively labeled, leading to reputational damage or social stigma. For example, "The politician "has been branded" as a liar by his opponents."