has been described

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been described' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used after a subject to denote that something has been previously described in detail, either in the same document or elsewhere. For example, "The process of photosynthesis in plants has been described in detail in the previous chapter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The phenomenon has been described before.

The New Yorker

It has been described as a "miracle".

The New Yorker

Butler has been described as a throwback.

The New York Times - Sports

Their inclusion has been described as symbolic.

The New York Times - Sports

LaFleur has been described as his clone.

The New Yorker

The issue has been described here.

Harvard University

He has been described as a libertarian.

The New York Times

It has been described as molecular scissors.

The Washington Post

This method has been described previously18.

Nature

This protocol has been described previously25.

Nature

Lee has been described as many things.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been described" when referencing previously established information to maintain clarity and avoid redundancy.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "has been described" to keep writing concise and direct. Consider active voice alternatives when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been described" functions as part of the passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone a previous act of description. Ludwig AI indicates this is a valid construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been described" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to indicate that something has been previously characterized or explained. It commonly appears in science, news media, and academic contexts, as indicated by Ludwig's examples. While generally neutral to formal, writers should be mindful of overusing passive voice. Ludwig AI validates its proper use, noting that it effectively references prior information, providing context, and building upon existing understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was characterized as

This alternative replaces the passive voice construction with a more direct characterization.

has been defined as

Focuses specifically on providing a definition for the subject.

is known as

Implies widespread recognition or common knowledge.

has been identified as

Highlights the act of pinpointing or recognizing something specific.

has been termed

Indicates that a specific term or label has been applied.

has been portrayed as

Suggests a particular representation or depiction of the subject.

has been referred to as

Emphasizes the act of mentioning or alluding to something using a particular name.

has been explained as

Focuses on the act of clarifying or elucidating the subject.

was depicted as

Indicates that the subject was represented in a certain way.

is considered to be

Expresses a generally held opinion or viewpoint.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been described" to sound more active?

You can use active voice constructions such as "researchers described", "the author explained", or "previous studies showed" depending on the context. Choose the option that best highlights the agent performing the action.

What's the difference between "has been described" and "was described"?

"Has been described" implies that the description is still relevant or has ongoing significance, while "was described" suggests the description is specific to a past event or time period.

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

Yes, "has been described" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in academic and scientific contexts, when referencing established knowledge or methodologies.

What are some alternatives to "has been described" that don't use passive voice?

Alternatives include "characterized", "defined", "identified", or "explained". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.