has been overruled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been overruled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts or discussions where a previous decision or ruling has been overturned or rejected. Example: "The previous ruling on the case has been overruled by the higher court, leading to a new trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Philip Aldrick (@PhilAldrick) Carney reveals he has been overruled on the MPC.

The Guardian - Business

"It looks like the prime minister has been overruled by the member for Uxbridge.

The Guardian

It can refuse to take the case, sending the signal that Roe has been overruled in all but name.

The Guardian - Opinion

You are at the mercy of your condition; your decision to speak is not your own; your autonomy has been overruled.

The Guardian - Tech

The department has been overruled on a number of pro posals because of budget re straint, and some of the offi cials involved are embittered.

The New York Times

He has been overruled before: a European court overturned his decision to block the merger of two British travel companies, Airtours (now MyTravel Group) and First Choice Holidays.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The conventional explanation for such inconsistency and incoherence is that Karl Rove, the President's chief political adviser, has been overruling the ex-C.E.O.s — that political expediency has trumped ideology.

The New Yorker

Local CCGs might have been overruled.

The Guardian

Demurrer to the indictment should have been overruled.

Cornell University

But they said their suggestions had been overruled.

The New York Times

They have been overruled by Dick Cheney and other hard-liners.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer synonyms like "has been reversed" or "has been overturned" in non-legal contexts to maintain a general and easily understandable tone for a broader audience.

Common error

Avoid using "has been overruled" in situations where an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The decision has been overruled by the court", consider "The court overruled the decision" for a more concise and active sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been overruled" functions as a passive voice construction, typically used to indicate that a prior decision or ruling has been reversed or invalidated by a higher authority or subsequent action. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been overruled" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive voice phrase that signifies the reversal or invalidation of a prior decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and formal settings. The phrase's frequency and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what is doing the overruling to avoid ambiguity. In less formal contexts, consider active voice constructions for a more concise and direct tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been reversed

Focuses on the act of turning a decision in the opposite direction.

has been overturned

Emphasizes the act of invalidating or canceling a prior ruling.

has been superseded

Highlights that something newer has replaced the previous thing.

has been invalidated

Indicates that something has been rendered without legal force.

has been rescinded

Emphasizes the withdrawal or cancellation of an order or law.

has been nullified

Suggests that something has been made void or ineffective.

has been set aside

Implies that something has been put aside or disregarded.

has been rejected

Focuses on the act of refusing or discarding something.

is no longer valid

States that something is no longer in effect or acceptable.

is no longer in effect

Highlights that something's operational or legal force has ended.

FAQs

What does "has been overruled" mean?

The phrase "has been overruled" means that a previous decision or ruling has been reversed or deemed invalid by a higher authority or a subsequent decision.

When is it appropriate to use "has been overruled" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "has been overruled" when you need to indicate that a prior decision, judgment, or policy has been officially rejected or overturned, often in a legal or formal context.

What are some alternatives to saying "has been overruled"?

Some alternatives to "has been overruled" include "has been reversed", "has been overturned", "has been invalidated", or "has been superseded" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "has been overruled"?

While "has been overruled" is in the passive voice, it is grammatically correct. However, using the active voice (e.g., "The court overruled the decision") can often make the sentence more direct and impactful. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis.