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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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has been referred

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been referred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something or someone has been mentioned or directed to a particular source or authority in the past. Example: "The case has been referred to the appropriate committee for further review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The case has been referred to prosecutors.

News & Media

The New York Times

This has been referred to as "elaborate processing".

Science

System

This phenomenon has been referred to as the truth effect.

This relationship has been referred to as "political CSR".

News & Media

The Guardian

The matter has been referred to the powerful privileges committee.

News & Media

The Guardian

The obstetrician has been referred for further learning.

His case has been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service.

News & Media

The Guardian

This matter has been referred to GMP's professional standards branch".

News & Media

The Guardian

The case has been referred to a county grand jury.

News & Media

The New York Times

Williams has been referred to as "a publicist's worst nightmare".

The matter has been referred to Commissioner Valentine.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been referred" when you want to indicate that something or someone has been directed to a specific authority, person, or resource for further action or consideration. It suggests a formal process or procedure.

Common error

Avoid using "has been referred" when the action is ongoing or will happen in the future. In those cases, use "is being referred" or "will be referred" depending on the context.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been referred" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received an action. It's commonly used to express that a case, matter, or person has been directed to another entity for further action or consideration. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been referred" is a versatile phrase used to denote the action of directing something or someone to a particular source or authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts. To ensure clarity and accuracy, consider the tense and context when using the phrase. Remember to use alternatives such as "was directed" or "was sent" when appropriate. Avoid using it when the action is ongoing or will happen in the future.

FAQs

How to use "has been referred" in a sentence?

The phrase "has been referred" is used to indicate that something or someone has been directed to a specific authority or resource. For example, "The case "has been referred" to the police for further investigation."

What can I say instead of "has been referred"?

You can use alternatives like "was directed", "was sent", or "was delegated" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been referred" or "was referred"?

"Has been referred" implies a continuing relevance or a state resulting from the referral. "Was referred" simply indicates the action of referral occurred in the past. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning. If an event happened in the past use "was referred" but if the event impacts the present use "has been referred".

What's the difference between "has been referred" and "is being referred"?

"Has been referred" indicates that the act of referring is complete, while "is being referred" indicates that the act of referring is currently in progress. For example, "The patient "has been referred" to a specialist" means the referral is complete. "The patient "is being referred" to a specialist" means the referral is currently happening.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: