has been given back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been given back" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about something or someone being returned to its original owner/recipient after having been loaned out or borrowed. For example: "The book I lent out to my friend last month has been given back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

"The balance of the story has been given back.

The New York Times

To date, more than US$2m has been given back.

The Guardian

About $30 million has been given back to the states.

The New York Times

And apparently he has been given back the runs I had ascribed him earlier.

The Guardian - Sport

"Russian fashion has been given back to us, it's arrived," Mr. Yudashkin said.

The New York Times

In most cases, "privatization" does not really mean that a function has been given back to the market.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The couple has been giving back to Columbia scholarship funds for more than five decades.

Columbia University

Smith has been giving back to the community in other ways long before this weekend.

Huffington Post

A Florida hairstylist has been giving back to the homeless community she was once a part of by offering free makeovers to those in need. .

Huffington Post

Ronnie himself certainly believed that he had been given back his life for a purpose.

The New York Times

The IAA paid another visit to Golan, who had been given back his ossuary.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been given back" to emphasize the restoration of something to its rightful owner or previous condition. This can create a sense of justice or resolution.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase in active voice when the passive construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "They have given back the land", use "The land "has been given back"" to emphasize the action upon the land rather than the actors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been given back" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it highlights the return of something to its original state or owner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been given back" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of returning something to its original owner or state. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically correct construction, predominantly found in news, media, and academic contexts. While relatively neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "has been returned" might be preferred in specific situations. The key is to ensure clarity in the context, specifying what was taken and to whom it's being returned. Avoid using active voice structures where the passive voice is more appropriate to maintain focus on the recipient of the action. The wide range of examples demonstrates its common usage and acceptance across various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been returned

Direct synonym; replaces "given back" with a more formal term, indicating a return to the original state or owner.

has been handed back

Similar to "given back" but emphasizes the physical act of handing something over.

has been restored

Implies a return to a former condition or place, often after damage or alteration.

has been reverted

Suggests a return to a previous state or system, often after a change or modification.

has been reinstated

Suggests a return to a previous position or status, implying a formal restoration.

has been relinquished

Indicates a voluntary return or surrender of something previously held.

has been ceded

Implies a formal or legal return, often used in the context of territory or rights.

has been repaid

Focuses on the act of returning something owed, typically money or a debt.

has been remitted

Implies a return in the sense of cancelling a debt or punishment.

has been refunded

Specifically refers to the return of money.

FAQs

How can I use "has been given back" in a sentence?

Use "has been given back" to describe the return of something to its original owner or state. For example, "The stolen painting "has been given back" to the museum."

What are some alternatives to "has been given back"?

Alternatives include "has been returned", "has been restored", or "has been reinstated", depending on the specific context.

Is "has been given back" formal or informal?

"Has been given back" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. More formal alternatives like "has been returned" may be preferable in highly formal writing.

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

"Has been given back" implies that the action of returning happened recently and is still relevant. "Was given back" refers to a completed action in the past without the same implication of present relevance.