has been paved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been paved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a surface, such as a road or pathway, has been covered with a material like asphalt or concrete in the past and is still in that condition. Example: "The road has been paved recently, making it much smoother for drivers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Of the total road network, only a small portion has been paved; other roads have been surfaced with crushed stone, gravel, or laterite or have been simply graded without being paved.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A road has been paved.

The Guardian - Travel

A lot has been paved over".

The New York Times - Books

Gomez's career path has been paved by persistence.

The New York Times - Sports

Now, the way has been paved for more underground stars to break through.

The Guardian - Music

But almost all of this historic highway has been paved over, largely as Route 9.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

He has been paving the road with good intentions ever since.

The New York Times - Arts

His firm has been paving the way for other contractors to come over from Darwin and Perth.

The Economist

Many observers in Bangkok believe a newly instated national-reconciliation committee has been paving the way for just such a move.

The Economist

Though Munich will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first Oktoberfest later this year, this traditional, conservative Bavarian city has been paving the way for its future.

The New York Times - Travel

In recent years, supreme court justice Samuel Alito has been paving the way for the court to find "fair-share" fees unconstitutional.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been paved" to clearly indicate that a surface has been covered with a hard material like asphalt or concrete to make it suitable for travel or other purposes. Ensure the context implies a lasting change to the surface.

Common error

Avoid using "has been paved" metaphorically in contexts where the imagery is unclear or doesn't directly relate to making something easier to traverse. Overuse can dilute the impact of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been paved" functions as a past participle phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase in the passive voice. It describes a completed action where a surface has been covered with a material like asphalt or concrete. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Wiki

19%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been paved" is a grammatically sound and commonly used past participle phrase indicating that a surface has been covered with a material like asphalt or concrete, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It typically functions to describe completed actions enhancing accessibility or durability. While primarily found in news and media, as well as wiki entries, its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. Remember to use it when referring to a surface that has been modified with paving materials, and avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts where the imagery may not be clear. Several alternatives, such as "has been surfaced" or "has been asphalted", can provide greater specificity depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been surfaced

Focuses more on the physical act of adding a surface layer, similar to paving but potentially with different materials.

has been asphalted

Specifies the paving material as asphalt, providing a more technical and concrete description.

has been concreted

Specifies the paving material as concrete, offering a more precise and structural description.

has been macadamized

Indicates paving with macadam, a specific type of road construction material, which is a more technical term.

has been prepared

Broader term indicating readiness or suitability, less specific than paving but conveys a similar sense of prior action.

has been made ready

Similar to "has been prepared" but emphasizes the act of making something ready for use.

has been facilitated

Shifts the focus to easing progress or making something easier, rather than a physical alteration.

has been smoothed

Highlights the act of making a surface even and easy to traverse, whether physically or metaphorically.

has been leveled

Focuses on making a surface flat and even, often as a preparation for further construction or use.

has been graded

Specifically refers to leveling land to a certain slope or elevation, usually in preparation for paving or construction.

FAQs

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

Use "has been paved" to describe a surface that has been covered with a material like asphalt or concrete. For example, "The road to the village "has been paved", making it easier to access".

What are some alternatives to "has been paved"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been surfaced", "has been asphalted", or "has been concreted" depending on the specific context and material used.

Is it correct to use "has been paved" metaphorically?

While "has been paved" is often used literally to describe roads or surfaces, it can be used metaphorically to describe something that has been made easier or more accessible. However, ensure the metaphor is clear and relevant to avoid confusion.

What is the difference between "has been paved" and "was paved"?

"Has been paved" implies the surface was paved at some point in the past and remains in that state, whereas "was paved" simply indicates that the action of paving occurred at a specific time. For example, "The road "has been paved", making it easier to drive on" versus "The road was paved in 1950".