has been invented

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been invented' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something was created or formulated at a particular time in the past. For example, "The internet has been invented since the 1980s."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A new term has been invented to describe them: "shaleionaires".

The New Yorker

You can't write a hip-hop masterpiece before hip-hop has been invented.

The New York Times - Magazine

Equipment has been invented to facilitate the performance of the manual tasks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Commodities can be traded, and a battery of tools has been invented to do just that.

The Economist

A contrivance has been invented to prevent people listening in on transatlantic telephone calls.

The New Yorker

A new visual symbol has been invented, the orange-and-black St. George's ribbon.

The New Yorker

The city of the future has been invented again and again.

The Guardian

No technology has been invented that can create complex, credible characters, psychological depth or fascinating plots.

The New York Times

The Airwheel has been invented to make you feel bad about yourself.

The Guardian - Tech

"The football creditors' rule has been invented by the Football League and the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

The system has been invented by Williams, and is patented under the name of Rollocolor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been invented" to clearly indicate that something new has been created, often highlighting the ingenuity or novelty of the creation. For instance, "A new type of solar panel has been invented, promising greater energy efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "discovered" when you mean "invented". "Discovered" implies finding something that already exists, while "invented" refers to creating something new. For example, say "The telephone has been invented by Alexander Graham Bell", not "The telephone has been discovered by Alexander Graham Bell".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been invented" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice. It indicates that an action (invention) was completed at some point in the past and is relevant to the present, highlighting the existence of something new. Ludwig's examples confirm its widespread use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been invented" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice. According to Ludwig, it serves to announce the creation of something new, emphasizing its impact and originality. It appears most commonly in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse writing styles. While similar phrases exist, such as "was created" or "was devised", it's important to choose the one that best reflects the intended nuance and context. Remember to use "has been invented" to indicate that something new has been created, often highlighting the ingenuity or novelty of the creation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was created

Focuses more on the act of creation, without necessarily implying ingenuity or novelty.

was conceived

Emphasizes the initial idea or concept behind the creation.

was devised

Suggests a planned and deliberate creation, often for a specific purpose.

was developed

Implies a process of improvement and refinement over time.

was originated

Focuses on the beginning or starting point of something.

was pioneered

Emphasizes being the first to develop or use something.

was formulated

Suggests a systematic or methodical creation, often used in scientific or technical contexts.

was discovered

Highlights the finding of something that already existed, rather than creating something new.

was brought into existence

A more formal and elaborate way of saying something was created.

came into being

A more philosophical or abstract way of expressing creation or existence.

FAQs

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

Use "has been invented" to indicate that something new has been created. For instance, "The internet "has been invented" since the late 20th century" or "A new method for data encryption "has been invented" recently".

What's a good alternative to "has been invented"?

Alternatives include "was created", "was devised", or "was pioneered", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was invented" instead of "has been invented"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "has been invented" implies relevance to the present. "Was invented" simply refers to a past event without necessarily linking it to the present situation. Choose "has been invented" when emphasizing the ongoing impact or current status of the invention.

What is the difference between something that "has been invented" and something that "has been discovered"?

Something that ""has been invented"" is created or designed, while something that "has been discovered" already exists but was previously unknown. For example, the computer "has been invented", whereas penicillin has been discovered.