has been cracked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been cracked' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to mean that a problem, code, mystery, etc., has been solved or figured out. For example: The code we had been trying to decipher for days has finally been cracked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But that has been cracked open.

The New York Times

"The black box of the genome has been cracked open by inexpensive genotyping platforms ….

Princeton University

The other two show that off-pump bypass isn't all it has been cracked up to be.

Harvard University

Buy cheese that has been cracked into wedges, rather than sliced, which changes the texture.

The New York Times - Food

It is as if the spine on a book untouched for hundreds of years has been cracked.

The New York Times - Science

But this is hardly the first time that yoga's enlightened facade has been cracked by sexual scandal.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The new man, a former KGB officer, has been cracking his whip.

The Economist

He says the stage manager has "been cracking the whip" at all hours.

The New York Times

The film's pace, which has been cracking for the first act, slumps towards the middle.

The Guardian - Film

Gbagbo's government has been cracking down on press loyal to Ouattara.

The Guardian

His Administration has been cracking down on employers of the undocumented and has been increasing criminal deportations.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been cracked" when referring to the successful decryption of codes, solving of complex problems, or overcoming security measures. Ensure the context clearly indicates what has been resolved or accessed.

Common error

Avoid using "has been cracked" in scenarios involving literal physical breakage unless the context explicitly implies a metaphorical solution or breakthrough. For example, "The vase has been cracked" refers to physical damage and is a different usage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been cracked" functions as a passive construction of the verb 'to crack', indicating that something (a code, a system, etc.) has been successfully broken or solved. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Tech

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been cracked" is a versatile and commonly used expression signifying that something complex or challenging has been successfully solved or broken. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a variety of contexts, particularly in news, technology, and academic domains. While it's generally suitable for neutral communication, specific contexts might benefit from more precise alternatives like "has been deciphered" or "has been resolved". Remember to reserve its use for scenarios where a solution or breakthrough has genuinely occurred, and avoid literal interpretations of 'cracking' unless a metaphorical connection is evident.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been solved

Replaces 'cracked' with 'solved', emphasizing the resolution of a problem or puzzle.

has been deciphered

Focuses on decoding or understanding something previously obscure.

has been decoded

Similar to 'deciphered' but emphasizes the act of converting code into understandable information.

has been broken

Implies that a system or code's security has been compromised.

has been compromised

Highlights that the security or integrity of something has been breached.

has been figured out

A more informal way of saying something has been understood or solved.

has been unlocked

Suggests access or understanding has been gained to something previously inaccessible.

has been unraveled

Indicates that a complex issue has been simplified or resolved.

has been penetrated

Suggests that security defenses have been overcome to gain access.

has been made clear

Emphasizes that something obscure is now understandable or obvious.

FAQs

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

Use "has been cracked" to indicate that a code, system, or problem has been successfully solved or understood. For example, "The encryption "has been cracked" by the team".

What are some alternatives to "has been cracked"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been solved", "has been deciphered", or "has been broken" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "has been cracked" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the specific context. In highly formal or technical writing, more precise terms like "has been deciphered" or "has been resolved" might be preferable depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "has been cracked" commonly used?

"Has been cracked" is often used when discussing cybersecurity, codebreaking, or problem-solving in both technical and general contexts. For instance, saying a "cipher "has been cracked"" is common in discussions about cryptography.