has been dilapidated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been dilapidated" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used to describe a state of disrepair or ruin that has occurred over time, but the verb "dilapidated" is usually used as an adjective rather than in a passive construction. Example: "The old mansion has fallen into disrepair and is now dilapidated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In the 21st century, the Oval has been dilapidated and has required constant repairs to fulfill Heath and Safety requirements for Glentoran to host its home matches there.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"What we have is dilapidated housing, inadequate or absent window screens, standing water, poor drainage, which are going to allow the mosquitoes to breed, and then the classic piece to this is the discarded tyres along the side of the road.

The Guardian

Nearby, on Dorchester Avenue, he has been buying dilapidated houses and turning them into small cultural centers and meeting spaces: "places where moments of beauty can happen," he says.

The New Yorker

Undershaw, which had been turned into a hotel after Conan Doyle sold it, has been empty and dilapidated since 2005, The Guardian said.

The New York Times

They should also be about the disruption to neighbourhoods, the heartache of being forced to leave a much-loved home, the possible adverse social consequences of dispersing vulnerable people, and so on (it's worth underlining here that the £3m Southwark council house had been too dilapidated for anyone to live in for years).

The Guardian

The structure is so dilapidated that it has been boarded up by some of the neighbors.

The New York Times

The storm left a hole in the structure that has been temporarily bridged over, while the dilapidated timber buildings on the pier are now home to starlings.

The Guardian

The dilapidated stretch has been spruced up in recent years with brick sidewalks, retro black streetlights and a clock tower.

The New York Times

No matter that the apartment and condominium market here in the dilapidated capital has been stagnant for 15 years, by the company's reckoning, and that foreigners in Myanmar are not permitted to buy homes or land.

The New York Times

Paradoxically, although Silverstone is the home of British Grand Prix racing and England itself is the home of the racing car chassis-building industry, the circuit in the British Midlands until now has been one of the most dilapidated and old-fashioned in a series in which modern monolithic racetracks have popped up around the world.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet for the Woodshed Collective -- an ambitious New York theater company with a commitment to low-budget, site-specific productions (past locations have included an empty swimming pool and a ship) -- West-Park's dilapidated state has been the answer to a prayer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "has been dilapidated" is understandable, it's better to use alternatives like "has fallen into disrepair" or "is dilapidated" for clearer and more grammatically sound writing. Consider the active voice, such as "neglect dilapidated the building."

Common error

Avoid using "dilapidated" in passive constructions. "Dilapidated" typically functions as an adjective. Instead of saying "the building has been dilapidated", opt for "the building is dilapidated" or "the building has fallen into disrepair".

Linguistic Context

The phrase primarily functions as a descriptive statement, aiming to depict the condition of something. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the construction is grammatically questionable. It attempts to use "dilapidated", which is typically an adjective, in a passive verb phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "has been dilapidated" is understandable in conveying that something is in a state of disrepair, it is not considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI highlights that "dilapidated" is best used as an adjective, rather than in a passive construction. It's generally preferable to use alternatives like "is dilapidated", "has fallen into disrepair", or "is run-down" for clearer and more accurate writing. The usage, although present in news and wiki sources, remains relatively rare and should be approached with caution in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in disrepair

Uses a simpler verb phrase and focuses on the state of disrepair rather than the process.

has fallen into ruin

Emphasizes the process of decline and the resulting state of ruin.

is run-down

A more colloquial term for being in poor condition.

is in a state of decay

Highlights the gradual process of deterioration.

has deteriorated

Focuses on the act of becoming worse over time.

has become derelict

Indicates abandonment and neglect leading to disrepair.

is crumbling

Suggests a physical breaking down or disintegration.

has decayed

Implies a natural process of decomposition and decline.

is falling apart

A more figurative way of describing severe disrepair.

is decaying

Similar to 'has decayed' but can describe both something slowly decaying, or the state of decay.

FAQs

Is "has been dilapidated" grammatically correct?

While understandable, the phrase "has been dilapidated" is not considered grammatically ideal. It's better to say "is dilapidated" or "has fallen into disrepair".

What are some alternatives to "has been dilapidated"?

You can use phrases like "is in disrepair", "has fallen into ruin", or "is run-down" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use the word "dilapidated" correctly in a sentence?

Use "dilapidated" as an adjective. For example, "The building is dilapidated." Avoid using it as a passive verb form like "has been dilapidated."

What's the difference between saying "the building is dilapidated" and "the building has been dilapidated"?

The phrase "the building is dilapidated" is a correct and concise way to describe the building's current state. The phrase "has been dilapidated" is grammatically awkward; better alternatives include "has fallen into disrepair" or "has become derelict".