has been protected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been protected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been safeguarded or secured in the past and continues to be so in the present. Example: "The wildlife reserve has been protected for over a decade to preserve its natural habitat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Affirmative action has been protected.

The New York Times

"The Tories telling you that the NHS has been protected.

Independent

And the wiring has been protected, Captain Bannister said.

The New York Times - Travel

Nevertheless, it says spending on frontline care has been protected.

The Guardian

This little world has been protected from popular anger about inequality.

The Economist

The humpback, which has been protected longer than other species, is known to be flourishing.

The Economist

It is not that Trott has been protected from fortune's slings and arrows.

BBC

It has been protected by the belief of firms in the efficiency of global supply chains.

The Economist

The Atlantic angel shark has been protected in American Atlantic waters since 1999.

Britannica

The overseas aid budget has been protected and will rise to £11.5bn by 2015.

Independent

The company has been protected from litigation since it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been protected", ensure that the subject and the means of protection are clearly stated to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, "The coastline has been protected by the establishment of a marine reserve."

Common error

Avoid using "has been protected" without specifying who or what is providing the protection. Overuse of passive voice can make the sentence vague and less impactful. Instead of saying "The area has been protected", specify the agent: "The park service has protected the area."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been protected" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that a subject has received protection at some point in the past with continuing relevance to the present. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been protected" is a grammatically sound and widely used passive perfect construction that indicates a state of ongoing protection originating in the past. It is primarily found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the agent of protection. While the phrase is generally suitable for various registers, being mindful of the voice can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was preserved

Emphasizes maintaining something in its original condition.

was kept secure

Emphasizes the maintenance of a safe and protected state.

was shielded

Focuses on the act of preventing harm or negative impact in the past.

was guarded

Implies watchfulness and prevention of unauthorized access or harm.

remained safe

Highlights the continuous state of being unharmed or secure.

was defended

Focuses on active resistance against threats or attacks.

enjoyed security

Highlights the benefit of being protected from danger or risk.

was made invulnerable

Indicates that something was fortified or made resistant to harm.

was immune

Focuses on being exempt from something, like disease or legal action.

had immunity

Possessing the condition of being resistant to disease, damage, or legal liability.

FAQs

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

Use "has been protected" to indicate that something was safeguarded in the past and continues to be in a secure state. For example, "The endangered species "has been protected" by international treaties." or The antique "has been protected" from UV rays with a special coating.

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

You can use phrases like "was shielded", "remained safe", or "was preserved" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

While "has been protected" is in passive voice, it is grammatically correct. However, using the active voice can make your sentence clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The forest has been protected", consider "The conservationists have protected the forest".

What is the difference between "has been protected" and "is protected"?

"Has been protected" implies a past action with ongoing effects, while "is protected" describes a current state. For example, "The historical site "has been protected" since 1980" indicates the protection started in the past and continues now. "The historical site "is protected" by law" describes its current legal status.