has been fired

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been fired' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the phrase 'has been fired' when someone has lost their job or position due to being dismissed. For example, "The company announced yesterday that the CEO has been fired for unethical behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nobody has been fired.

The Economist

I assume that person has been fired.

Independent

The starting gun has been fired.

Independent

Prosecutor has been fired; the Justice Dept.

The New Yorker

But a warning shot has been fired.

The Economist

He, too, has been fired by Abramovich.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Rusnak has been fired.

The New York Times

"Some people think she has been fired.

The New York Times

"He has been fired from his job.

The New York Times - Sports

And what then, after the gun has been fired?

Independent

The opening shot at the Ryder Cup has been fired.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been fired" when you want to clearly and directly state that someone's employment was terminated by their employer. It's suitable for news reports, factual accounts, and formal discussions about employment status.

Common error

Avoid using "has been fired" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "He has been fired by the company", consider "The company fired him" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been fired" functions as a passive voice construction indicating the termination of someone's employment. As shown in Ludwig, this is a common way to express that an individual's job was ended by their employer.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been fired" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has been terminated from their job. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and business. While it's generally neutral, consider softer alternatives like "was let go" in sensitive situations. Be mindful of using passive voice effectively, opting for active voice constructions when a more direct impact is desired. With a wealth of examples available, Ludwig illustrates the phrase's widespread usage and nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was terminated

Focuses on the action of ending employment, differing slightly in tone.

was dismissed

Highlights the act of being officially removed from a role.

lost their job

Emphasizes the consequence of job loss, a more personal perspective.

was let go

A more euphemistic way of saying someone was fired, softening the impact.

had their contract terminated

Specifically refers to the end of a contractual agreement.

was removed from their position

Highlights the act of being taken out of a specific role.

was ousted

Suggests being forcefully removed, often implying conflict or controversy.

is no longer employed

A neutral way of stating the person doesn't work there anymore.

was made redundant

Implies the position was eliminated, rather than personal performance issues.

parted ways with the company

A very diplomatic way of saying someone left, avoiding direct blame.

FAQs

How is "has been fired" used in a sentence?

The phrase "has been fired" is used to indicate that someone's employment has been terminated. For example, "The CEO "has been fired" due to poor performance".

What are some alternative ways to say "has been fired"?

You can use phrases like "was terminated", "was dismissed", or "lost their job" as alternatives to "has been fired", depending on the context.

Is "has been fired" formal or informal?

"Has been fired" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more euphemistic alternatives might be preferred in sensitive situations.

What's the difference between "has been fired" and "resigned"?

"Has been fired" means the employer terminated the employment, while "resigned" means the employee voluntarily left the position. They are opposite actions.