has been closed down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been closed down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, such as a business or service, has been permanently shut or discontinued. Example: "The old factory has been closed down due to safety violations and lack of funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

LAURA SECOR: But the party has been closed down.

The New Yorker

A smoothie shop that created drinks from mothers' raw placentas has been closed down over potential health violations.

Independent

An exhibition combating negative self-image in a square in Copenhagen has been closed down by police.

Independent

Already thousands of workers have been idled because coastal Louisiana east of the Mississippi River has been closed down.

The New York Times - Science

One unidentified local party branch has been closed down following a deadlock involving one member's expulsion and disciplinary tribunals for two others.

The Guardian

Now Chez Nico has been closed down and he has opened this new place just off London's Regent Street, though here he is patron rather than chef.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Ford has been closing down plants and axing jobs, too.

The Guardian - Money

Paradoxically, while access to admissions data has been closing down, the case for making this kind of information openly available has been gaining momentum.

The Guardian

Jewellery giant H Samuel has been closing down more than one High Street store every month for the last five years, a new study has revealed.

The Times

Tibetan-language schools have been closed down.

The New York Times

News agencies have been closed down.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been closed down" when you want to emphasize the finality of a shutdown, especially in situations where there might be an implication of external forces or authority causing the closure. For instance, "The factory has been closed down due to environmental violations".

Common error

While "has been closed down" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in very informal conversations where simpler alternatives like "is closed" or "shut down" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been closed down" functions as a passive construction indicating the cessation of activity or operation of something. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where it describes the state of businesses, organizations, or services that are no longer functioning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been closed down" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote the termination or cessation of activity. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, particularly in news and media, indicating the shutdown of businesses, organizations, or services. While alternatives such as "has been shut down" exist, the choice often depends on the level of formality desired. When crafting your content, consider emphasizing the reason for the shutdown to provide a comprehensive understanding to your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been shut down

Simple synonym with very similar meaning; slightly more informal.

has been terminated

More formal and neutral; implies a definite end but doesn't necessarily imply failure or forced closure.

has ceased operations

Focuses on business activity; suitable in a business context.

has been discontinued

Appropriate for products or services; highlights the act of stopping something that was ongoing.

has been discontinued

Appropriate for products or services; highlights the act of stopping something that was ongoing.

is no longer in operation

A more descriptive phrase that avoids direct action.

has been decommissioned

Often used for infrastructure or equipment; denotes a formal removal from service.

is out of service

Typically used for equipment or services; implies temporary or permanent unavailability.

has gone out of business

Specifically for businesses; focuses on the commercial failure aspect.

has been dismantled

Implies physical disassembly; used when something has been taken apart.

FAQs

What's a simpler way to say "has been closed down"?

You could use phrases like "has been shut down" or "is closed", depending on the context. The simpler options work well in more informal settings.

How does "has been closed down" differ from "has been shut down"?

The phrase "has been shut down" is very similar in meaning to "has been closed down", but it can be slightly more informal. The choice often depends on personal preference and the context's tone.

Is it correct to use "has been closed down" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been closed down" is appropriate for formal writing. It clearly conveys that something has been permanently terminated or shut down, as seen in numerous news articles and reports.

What are some alternatives to "has been closed down" for business contexts?

In a business context, you might use "has ceased operations" or "has gone out of business". These alternatives emphasize the commercial aspect of the closure.