has been called

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been called' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to show that something has been labeled or named with a specific title. For example: The downtown area of this city has been called the Cultural Arts District.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been called Fishzilla.

The New York Times

Sure, he has been called a hero.

The New York Times

"That process has been called grief work.

The New Yorker

The army has been called in.

The Economist

He has been called a maverick.

The New York Times - Sports

Fritzl has been called the "Incest Monster".

Independent

(The phenomenon has been called "gene shifting").

The New York Times - Magazine

He has been called an activist judge.

The New York Times - Sports

Partition has been called "a living wound".

The New York Times

This has been called serial homology.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Demand Media has been called "demonic".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been called" when indicating a widely recognized or commonly used name or description for something. It's especially useful when citing a particular label or term that has gained prominence.

Common error

While "has been called" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound less direct. Opt for stronger verbs like "is known as" or more descriptive alternatives to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been called" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has received a specific name or designation. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples, which show the phrase being used to attribute labels or descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been called" is a versatile passive construction used to indicate that something has been given a particular name or label. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. Analysis of numerous examples reveals that while it appears frequently in news and media, it is also suitable for encyclopedic, scientific, and other contexts. For more formal writing, alternatives like "is referred to as" or "is termed" may be preferred. When writing, remember to use "has been called" to emphasize the act of naming or describing, and consider the context to avoid overuse and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been named

Emphasizes the act of officially giving a name.

is known as

Focuses on current recognition, omitting past calling.

is labeled as

Highlights the act of categorizing or classifying.

is referred to as

Highlights the act of reference, rather than the naming itself.

is designated as

Implies an official assignment or appointment.

is termed

Suggests a more formal or technical designation.

is considered to be

Indicates an opinion or widespread belief about a characteristic.

goes by the name of

Focuses on an informal or common way of addressing someone or something.

is styled

Used when referring to a specific style or presentation of something.

is christened

Denotes the act of giving something or someone a name, particularly in a ceremonial context.

FAQs

How do I use "has been called" in a sentence?

Use "has been called" to indicate that something is known by a particular name or description. For example: "That strategy "has been called" a game-changer".

What's a more formal alternative to "has been called"?

For formal writing, consider alternatives like "is referred to as" or "is termed". These options offer a more sophisticated tone than ""has been called"".

What can I say instead of "has been called" to show something is widely known?

If you want to emphasize widespread recognition, try "is known as" or "is recognized as" instead of ""has been called"".

Is it correct to use "has been called" when referring to an opinion?

While grammatically correct, using ""has been called"" is less suitable for expressing opinions. Alternatives like "is considered" or "is believed to be" are more appropriate.