has been foiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been foiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a plan or attempt has been thwarted or prevented from succeeding. Example: "The villain's scheme has been foiled by the quick actions of the hero."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

There are lurid tales in the papers that a chemical attack has been foiled.

The Guardian

But even if that was his plan, Mr. Ahmadinejad has been foiled.

The New York Times

A terror plot has been foiled in the UK in the last two weeks, it has emerged.

Independent

If Mr. Walker's plan was to push his bill through before anyone had a chance to realize his true goals, that plan has been foiled.

The New York Times

A criminal gang has been foiled in its attempt to steal millions of pounds without anyone realising a bank job was actually taking place.

Independent

Network Rail has been keen to introduce such technology, but complains that it has been foiled by opposition to the construction of high masts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Other horses have been foiled by injury.

The New York Times

Several other attacks were said to have been foiled.

The Economist

Most, thankfully, have been foiled by our security forces.

The Washington Post

Still, sometimes even the soundest plans have been foiled.

The New York Times

Several plots have been foiled by the police.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been foiled" to clearly indicate that a plan, attempt, or plot was successfully prevented from happening. It's particularly effective when highlighting the action that stopped the event.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "has been foiled". Ensure that the sentence still clearly indicates who or what carried out the action of foiling the plan. For example, instead of "The plan has been foiled", consider "The police have foiled the plan".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been foiled" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes an action (foiling) that was performed on a subject, indicating that a plan, attempt, or plot was prevented from succeeding. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been foiled" is a commonly used passive verb phrase that indicates a plan or attempt has been successfully prevented. As Ludwig AI explains, the expression is grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media contexts to report on thwarted plots or actions. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who or what carried out the action of foiling. Related phrases include "was prevented" and "was thwarted", providing alternative ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was thwarted

Uses a more formal term, suggesting a deliberate and forceful prevention.

was averted

Suggests preventing something negative or dangerous from happening.

was prevented

Emphasizes the action of preventing, shifting focus from the plan to the act of stopping it.

was circumvented

Focuses on finding a way around an obstacle to prevent success.

was stopped

A simpler and more direct way of saying something was prevented from happening.

did not succeed

Focuses on the lack of success rather than the act of foiling.

met with failure

Highlights the negative outcome of the attempt.

was unsuccessful

A more general term for not achieving the desired result.

came to nothing

Suggests the attempt was completely unproductive.

fell through

Implies the attempt failed due to unforeseen circumstances.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been foiled" to indicate that a plan or attempt was successfully prevented. For example, "The terrorist plot "has been foiled" by the intelligence agency".

What are some alternatives to "has been foiled"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was prevented", "was thwarted", or "was stopped", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "has been foiled"?

While "has been foiled" is in the passive voice, consider using the active voice for clarity when possible. For instance, instead of "The robbery has been foiled", you might say "The security system foiled the robbery".

What's the difference between "has been foiled" and "has failed"?

"Has been foiled" implies an external force prevented success, while "has failed" simply means the attempt did not succeed, regardless of the reason. Something that "has been foiled" was actively stopped, while something that "has failed" might have simply lacked the necessary resources.