has been killed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been killed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing events, particularly in news reports or narratives about death or violence. Example: "The investigation revealed that the suspect has been killed in a confrontation with the police."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One headmaster has been killed so far.

The New York Times

"Someone has been killed by our children.

The New York Times

Yet only one settler has been killed.

The Economist

But no policeman has been killed.

The Economist

None, so far, has been killed.

The Economist

Muammar Gaddafi has been killed".

The Guardian

Morse himself has been killed.

The Guardian

One person has been killed.

The New York Times

A cameraman has been killed.

The Guardian

Someone has been killed.' And then another has been killed, and another," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Another has been killed in Syria.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional impact when using "has been killed". In sensitive contexts, softer alternatives like "'lost their life'" or "'passed away'" might be more appropriate.

Common error

If you want to highlight who committed the act, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice construction. For example, instead of saying 'The suspect has been killed by the police', say "'The police killed the suspect'".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been killed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action. It is often used to emphasize the result of the action (death) rather than the actor. As Ludwig AI points out, this structure is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been killed" is a grammatically sound and very common passive construction used to report a death, often due to an external action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage, especially in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the emotional impact and choose alternative phrases when sensitivity is required. Remember to use active voice when the focus is on the perpetrator rather than the victim.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was murdered

Focuses on the intentional and unlawful aspect of the killing.

was slain

A more literary or archaic way of saying 'killed'.

was assassinated

Specifically refers to the killing of a public figure.

met their demise

Euphemistic and indirect way of saying someone died, often implying a tragic end.

lost their life

A gentler, more sensitive way to convey death.

was taken out

An informal way of saying someone was killed, often implying it was planned.

was eliminated

Often used in the context of removing someone from competition or a threat.

perished

A formal and somewhat dramatic term for dying, often used in historical or literary contexts.

was dispatched

A blunt term indicating a swift and decisive killing.

was terminated

A neutral term suggesting the end of something, used when referring to projects or contracts.

FAQs

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

"Has been killed" uses the present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has relevance to the present. "Was killed" uses the simple past tense, indicating a completed action in the past without a direct connection to the present moment. For example, "The suspect has been killed, and the investigation is now closed" versus "The suspect was killed yesterday".

What are some more formal alternatives to "has been killed"?

More formal alternatives include "was slain", "perished", or "met their demise". These options are often used in literary or historical contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "has been killed" instead of "died"?

Use "has been killed" when you want to emphasize that someone's death was the result of an external action or violence. "Died" is a more general term that doesn't necessarily imply an external cause. For example, "He has been killed in action" specifies the cause of death, while "He died peacefully in his sleep" does not.

What can I say instead of "has been killed" to be more sensitive?

To be more sensitive, you can use phrases like "lost their life", "passed away", or "is no longer with us". These options are less direct and can be more appropriate in delicate situations.