has been levelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been levelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been made flat or even, often in a metaphorical sense, such as criticism or comparison. Example: "The criticism has been levelled at the new policy for its lack of transparency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A misogynist, as has been levelled against him?

The Guardian - Books

Much criticism has been levelled at western media for negative coverage of Africa.

The Guardian - Opinion

The argument that she must be jealous of the models has been levelled at Holmes too.

The Guardian

But that is a charge that has been levelled against others too.

The Guardian

The land has been levelled earlier, to make the city; then the city goes, leaving a blank.

The New Yorker

Much criticism has been levelled at the Arts Council, though there has been support from other, independent voices.

The Guardian - Books

An article in yesterday's Independent on Sunday summed up savage criticism that has been levelled at this year's shortlist.

The Guardian - Arts

When it comes to bagels themselves, the playing field has been levelled, thanks to a renaissance led, for the moment, by a nearby bakery called Black Seed.

The New Yorker

It is a charge which has been levelled against Saracens, because of their durable defence and their failure to score as many tries as, for example, Leicester.

Independent

Criticism has been levelled at the Met Office, particularly in recent years, over its cost‑effectiveness and its ability to always accurately predict the fickle British weather.

Independent

While criticism has been levelled at athletes for doping, Franke said he felt they probably had no choice but to do as they were told.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been levelled", ensure the subject receiving the action is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Criticism has been levelled at the company" is clearer than "Criticism has been levelled."

Common error

Avoid using "has been levelled" without a clear understanding of the passive voice. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is performing the levelling, even if it's implied. For instance, avoid constructions where it's unclear where the action originated.

Linguistic Context

"Has been levelled" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is typically used to describe the act of directing criticism, accusations, or other forms of pressure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been levelled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly indicates that something, such as criticism or accusations, has been directed at a subject. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity in your writing by clearly identifying the recipient of the action. Its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "has been directed" or "has been aimed" to add nuance where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been directed

This alternative focuses on the action of directing something towards a target, like criticism.

has been aimed

Similar to 'directed', this implies a deliberate attempt to target something.

has been subjected

This suggests that someone or something has been made to experience something, often negative.

has been brought against

This is typically used in formal or legal contexts to indicate that charges or accusations have been made.

has been made

This is a more general alternative, indicating that a statement, accusation, or claim has been presented.

has been lodged

Similar to 'brought against', but often used for complaints or formal submissions.

has been issued

This suggests a formal announcement or declaration.

has been presented

This implies a formal offering or introduction of something, like evidence or an argument.

has been delivered

This focuses on the act of conveying something, such as a message or criticism.

has been imputed

This suggests that something is attributed or ascribed to someone, often something negative.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been levelled" to indicate that criticism, accusations, or other forms of pressure have been directed at someone or something. For example, "Criticism "has been levelled" at the new policy."

What is a good alternative to the phrase "has been levelled"?

Alternatives include "has been directed", "has been aimed", or "has been subjected", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "has been levelled" or "was levelled"?

"Has been levelled" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present, while "was levelled" refers to a completed action in the past. Choose based on whether the impact is ongoing.

Can "has been levelled" be used in contexts other than criticism?

Yes, while often used with criticism, "has been levelled" can also describe physical actions like making ground even. For example, "The ground "has been levelled" before construction."