has been identified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been identified' is correct and is used in written English.
It is used when something has been identified and specified, usually through investigation, examination or research. For example, "The cause of the accident has been identified as a brake malfunction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither woman has been identified.

The New York Times

No treatment has been identified.

The New York Times

No suspects or motive has been identified.

The New York Times

The finger has been identified.

The New York Times - Arts

Your loved one has been identified.

The New York Times

Neither of the suspects has been identified.

The Guardian

The man has been identified as Haruna Yakawa.

Independent

"But to date, no one has been identified".

The New York Times

That man has been identified as Mr. Turnidge.

The New York Times

The metal has been identified as depleted uranium.

The Guardian

Of this amount only £2bn has been identified.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been identified" to indicate that something has been recognized or determined through a specific process or investigation. This emphasizes the action of identification rather than merely stating a fact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been identified" when an active voice construction is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The problem has been identified by the team", consider "The team identified the problem" for a more concise statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been identified" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has undergone the action of being recognized or discovered. Ludwig confirms its usage as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Forbes

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been identified" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to communicate that something has undergone a process of recognition or discovery. When writing, ensure the voice (active vs passive) serves the specific context and desired emphasis. Always ensure context appropriateness, consider active voice for directness, and choose related phrases carefully to reflect nuance and specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discovered

Focuses on the act of finding something new or previously unknown.

was recognized

Emphasizes the acknowledgment or acceptance of something's existence or validity.

was determined

Highlights the process of reaching a conclusion or decision through investigation.

was ascertained

Suggests a more formal or thorough investigation leading to a certain conclusion.

has been detected

Implies the use of instruments or methods to find something that was not readily apparent.

has come to light

Indicates that something has become known or revealed, often after being hidden.

has been uncovered

Suggests that something has been revealed, usually after some effort or investigation.

has been unearthed

Similar to 'uncovered' but often implies a longer or more difficult search.

has been pinpointed

Focuses on identifying something with great accuracy or precision.

has been diagnosed

Specifically refers to the identification of a disease or condition.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has been identified" is used to indicate that something has been recognized or determined through a specific process. For example, "The cause of the error "has been identified" as a software glitch".

What are some alternatives to "has been identified"?

Alternatives include "was discovered", "was recognized", or "was determined" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "has been identified" is grammatically correct in passive voice, consider using active voice for a more direct and concise statement. For example, instead of "The solution has been identified by the researchers," you could say, "The researchers identified the solution".

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

"Has been identified" implies that the identification happened recently and is still relevant, while "was identified" suggests that the identification occurred in the past and may or may not still be relevant. The choice depends on the context and the timeline you want to emphasize.