has been read

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been read" is a correct and usable part of written English.
It is typically used in the present perfect tense, when describing an action that has been completed in the past. Example: The manuscript has been read, and it is now ready for publication.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Know your application has been read.

The New York Times

This has been read, M. Herzog.

Yale University

African-American poetry has been read sociologically".

The New York Times

And yet it has been read here".

The Guardian

Every single contribution has been read by several people here.

The Guardian

It has been read by 3 million people online alone.

The Guardian

It has been read, reread, and is waiting to be read again.

Harvard University

"Pride and Prejudice" has been read and reread by enchanted readers since its publication in 1813.

The New York Times - Books

His own pungent verse has been read to jazz accompaniment, sung, and printed on posters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Unfortunately," they write, his proof, "which has been read by many prominent experts, is incomplete".

The New Yorker

"By 9 28 P.M., the post has been read by 50,000 persons with 651 comments".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been read", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the reading action, even if it's implied. This improves clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing the passive voice with "has been read" to the point where the actor is consistently omitted. While appropriate in some contexts, overuse can make writing seem vague and impersonal. Ensure that a clear understanding of who performed the reading is available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been read" functions as a passive construction in the present perfect tense. Ludwig's examples show it indicates that an action (reading) has been completed at some point in the past, with relevance to the present. It is commonly used to describe the status of documents, articles, or other written material.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been read" functions as a passive construction in the present perfect tense, indicating the completion of a reading action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. Its usage is notably frequent in scientific and news-related content. To ensure clear and effective communication, it's essential to consider the implications of using the passive voice and avoid ambiguity. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively employ "has been read" to convey information accurately and professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was read

Changes the tense to simple past, indicating a completed action in the past without necessarily implying relevance to the present.

has been perused

Replaces "read" with "perused", suggesting a more careful or thorough reading.

has undergone reading

Rephrases the action to emphasize the process of reading.

has been reviewed

Substitutes "read" with "reviewed", implying a critical assessment during the reading process.

has been studied

Replaces "read" with "studied", suggesting a more in-depth and analytical reading.

was consulted

Shifts the focus to consulting a document, suggesting it was referenced for information.

has been examined

Replaces "read" with "examined", emphasizing a detailed inspection of the content.

has been gone through

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the action of reading something from beginning to end.

has been digested

Emphasizes the understanding and absorption of the information after reading.

has been understood

Focuses on the comprehension of the content, rather than the act of reading itself.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been read" to indicate that something has been read by someone. For instance, "The report "has been read" by the manager."

What are some alternatives to using "has been read"?

Alternatives include "was read", "has been perused", or "has been reviewed depending on the context".

Is it better to say "the book has been read" or "someone has read the book"?

The choice depends on the emphasis. "The book "has been read"" (passive voice) emphasizes the book. "Someone has read the book" (active voice) emphasizes the actor. The passive voice can be more appropriate if the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What's the difference between "has been read" and "was read"?

"Has been read" indicates a completed action with relevance to the present, using the present perfect tense, while "was read" is simple past and indicates a completed action in the past without necessarily any connection to the present moment.