has been deserted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been deserted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a place or situation that has been abandoned or left empty over time. Example: "The once-bustling town has been deserted since the factory closed down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"The place has been deserted".

The New York Times

But the restaurant, Mr. Hussein said, has been deserted for two and a half years.

The New York Times

Toddington Manor has been deserted for 20 years and allowed to fall into disrepair.

The Guardian - Arts

An entire village which has been deserted for three decades is up for sale in New Zealand.

The Guardian

"I have to emphasize this, it is a building that has been deserted for many, many years," she said.

The New York Times

"It is clear the camp has been deserted," Mr. Muasher said of the bombed camp, Ain Saheb.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

A 52-room luxury hotel had been deserted.

The New York Times

Many prisoners have been deserted or divorced by their wives.

The New York Times

The rat had been deserted by his sinking ship.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some 20m hectares are estimated to have been deserted; only 12m are under cultivation.

The Economist

During the Middle Ages, Pátmos appears to have been deserted, probably because of Saracen raids.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been deserted" to vividly describe a place or entity that was once occupied or active but is now abandoned. Ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the desertion, whether it's due to economic downturn, natural disaster, or other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "has been deserted" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "The company has been deserted by its customers", consider "Customers have deserted the company" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been deserted" functions as a passive voice verb phrase, indicating that the subject has undergone the action of being abandoned. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English, providing real-world examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been deserted" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that effectively describes a state of abandonment or emptiness. While it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, it is also used in science and encyclopedic sources. When using "has been deserted", ensure that the context clearly indicates the reason for the desertion and consider whether the active voice might be more impactful. For semantically similar alternatives, you could use phrases such as "has been abandoned" or "has been evacuated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been abandoned

Focuses on the act of being left behind or forsaken.

has been left uninhabited

Emphasizes the lack of residents or occupants.

has been evacuated

Implies a forced or organized departure, usually due to danger.

is now unoccupied

Focuses solely on the absence of occupants.

has been vacated

Suggests a voluntary departure, often leaving a space empty.

has become derelict

Stresses the state of decay and disrepair resulting from neglect.

has fallen into disuse

Highlights the neglect and lack of maintenance leading to abandonment.

is now empty

Simply states the absence of contents or occupants.

is now desolate

Conveys a sense of emptiness and bleakness after being deserted.

is now forsaken

Emphasizes being abandoned or deserted.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been deserted" to describe a place, a person, or even an idea that has been abandoned or left behind. For example, "The town "has been deserted" since the factory closed down" or "He felt like he "has been deserted" by his friends".

What are some alternatives to "has been deserted"?

Alternatives include "has been abandoned", "has been evacuated", or "has been vacated". The best choice depends on the specific context and the reason for the abandonment.

Is it correct to say "had been deserted" instead of "has been deserted"?

Yes, "had been deserted" is correct, but it implies a different timeframe. "Has been deserted" suggests a condition that started in the past and continues to the present, while "had been deserted" refers to a past perfect state, meaning it was deserted before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "has been deserted" and "is deserted"?

"Has been deserted" implies a change of state—that something was once occupied or active but is no longer. "Is deserted" simply describes the current state of being empty or abandoned, without necessarily implying a change.