has been left

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been left" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that happened in the past and that has been left unchanged in the present. For example: "The sign has been left untouched for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Germany has been left on its own".

Independent

'The victim has been left highly traumatised.

Independent

This has been left largely to Hollywood.

The Economist

The kitchen has been left virtually untouched.

The New York Times

audience has been left behind.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Her memory has been left highly unreliable.

The New York Times - Books

No one has been left undamaged.

The New York Times

But it has been left to me".

The Guardian - Sport

Love has been left with thick scars.

The Guardian

Mohammad Irfan, though, has been left out.

The Guardian - Sport

Nonetheless, South Africa has been left disappointed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been left", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action of leaving. For example, "The decision has been left to the committee" specifies who is responsible.

Common error

Avoid confusing "has been left" with similar tenses like "had been left" or "is left". "Has been left" indicates a past action with present relevance, whereas "had been left" refers to a past action completed before another past action, and "is left" refers to the present

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been left" functions as a passive voice construction within a sentence. Ludwig indicates its use to describe a past action that has resulted in a present state, where something or someone has been abandoned, delegated, or remained in a particular condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been left" is a versatile phrase used to describe a past action with ongoing consequences, indicating a state of abandonment, delegation, or persistence. As verified by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While its register is generally neutral, the specific level of formality is determined by the surrounding content. Common errors to avoid include incorrect tense usage, such as confusing it with "had been left" or "is left". Understanding these nuances ensures effective and accurate communication. Ludwig examples provide many use cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was deserted

Highlights the act of being left behind, often implying a sense of desolation or emptiness.

was abandoned

Focuses specifically on the act of abandonment without necessarily implying a present state.

has remained

Emphasizes the continuation of a state or condition.

ended up

Highlights the final outcome or situation after a series of events.

has become

Emphasizes the transformation into a particular state or condition.

was entrusted

Implies a transfer of responsibility or care to someone or something.

was delegated

Shifts the focus to the act of assigning responsibility or a task.

is stuck

Highlights something that is still in some given condition, often undesired.

is now

Focuses on the present state or condition resulting from a past event.

was bequeathed

Implies that something has been formally handed down or passed on, often through a will.

FAQs

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

Use "has been left" to describe a situation where something or someone was abandoned or delegated and remains in that state. For instance, "The responsibility "has been left" to the team leader".

What are some alternatives to "has been left"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was abandoned", "was delegated", or "ended up depending" on the context.

Is it correct to say "has left" instead of "has been left"?

While "has left" indicates that someone has departed, ""has been left"" implies a state of abandonment or delegation, which carries a different meaning.

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

"Has been left" describes an action completed in the past with ongoing consequences, whereas "is left" describes a current state. For example, "The door has been left open" (past action, current state) versus "The door is left open" (current state).