has been kept

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been kept" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is called the present perfect passive form and is used to describe actions or events that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. Example: The secret has been kept for years, but I can finally reveal it now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I see this promise has been kept".

Independent

Mr Liu's wife has been kept incommunicado.

The Economist

America's commitment has been kept.

The Guardian

That promise has been kept.

The New York Times - Sports

Even what is missing has been kept.

The New York Times - Magazine

The algorithm that controls surge pricing has been kept secret.

Independent

The location of the field hospital has been kept secret.

The New York Times

News of her husband's death has been kept from her.

The New York Times

Billy has been kept a secret — until now.

The New York Times

The bolivar has been kept strong, to check inflation.

The Economist

I am surprised he has been kept on the field".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been kept" when describing an action or state that began in the past and continues to be true in the present. Ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "has been kept" and the reason for it.

Common error

Avoid using "has been kept" when the action or state no longer applies in the present. In such cases, the past perfect passive tense ("had been kept") or the simple past passive tense ("was kept") is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been kept" functions as a present perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action of keeping something occurred at an unspecified time before now and the result of that action is still relevant or ongoing. Ludwig showcases its usage across diverse contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been kept" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase widely employed across diverse written contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its prevalent usage in domains like News & Media and Science. This present perfect passive construction effectively conveys a state resulting from a past action that continues to the present, indicating ongoing relevance. It's essential to ensure accurate tense usage and tailor the phrase to fit the intended context for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was maintained

This alternative uses a simple past passive construction to indicate something was kept in a certain state.

has been protected

This alternative highlights that something was kept from danger.

has been upheld

This alternative refers to the fact that something was supported or defended so that it could continue.

was preserved

This alternative suggests that something was kept safe from harm or decay.

has been guarded

This alternative implies that something was protected and kept safe.

has remained hidden

This alternative emphasizes the secrecy surrounding something that was kept.

remained confidential

This alternative emphasizes that something was kept secret.

has been conserved

This alternative suggests careful management to ensure something was kept.

was held

This alternative indicates that something was kept in a particular position or condition.

has been sustained

This alternative highlights the continuous effort to keep something going or in a particular condition.

FAQs

How do I use "has been kept" in a sentence?

Use "has been kept" to describe something that started in the past and is still continuing. For example, "The information "has been kept confidential" to protect the company's interests."

What are some alternatives to "has been kept"?

Alternatives to "has been kept" include "was maintained", "was preserved", or "remained confidential". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "was kept" instead of "has been kept"?

"Was kept" should be used when referring to a situation or state that existed in the past but is no longer current. "The data "was kept" on a local server before migrating to the cloud."

What's the difference between "has been kept" and "is being kept"?

"Has been kept" describes a state resulting from a past action that continues to the present, whereas "is being kept" describes an action that is currently in progress. "The patient "is being kept" under observation," indicates an ongoing process.