has been refuted

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been refuted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a claim or argument that has been proven to be false or incorrect. Example: The idea that the Earth is flat has been refuted by numerous scientific studies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Expansionary austerity has been refuted and even the IMF sayis that short-run multipliers are big.

The New York Times

In recent times the idea has gained currency that Marxism has been "refuted by history".

Encyclopedia Britannica

No lives are saved, and no intruders are repelled; the dense and hysterical mythology of gun love has been refuted again and again.

The New Yorker

This is not just a questionable assumption; this approach has been refuted at length in the new book, "The Bankers' New Clothes," by Anat Admati and Martin Hellwig.

The New York Times

That has been refuted by the former Republican presidential nominee John McCain, who criticised the US intervention so far had been "very, very ineffective, to say the least".

Independent

The myth that federal student aid drives up college tuition has been refuted by empirical evidence and by the real-world actions of colleges and universities.

The New York Times

Feinstein said that the criminal referral provided no evidence that Steele had lied, and, she added, "not a single revelation in the Steele dossier has been refuted".

The New Yorker

The chancellor replies by attacking Balls' plan to raise the rate to 50p, saying it's anti-business and has been refuted by the IFS already.

The Guardian - Business

Look, this is one of the most thoroughly researched topics out there, and every piece of the government-did-it thesis has been refuted; see Mike Konczal for a summary.

The New York Times

The key thing about how the conservative movement handles debate is that it never gives up an argument, no matter how often and how thoroughly it has been refuted.

The New York Times

HES: The benefit of using HES has been refuted.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been refuted" to clearly indicate that a claim or argument has been proven false through evidence or reasoning. Ensure that the refutation is well-supported and verifiable.

Common error

Avoid using "has been refuted" when the evidence is only suggestive or inconclusive. Reserve it for cases where the disproof is definitive and widely accepted. Otherwise, use terms like "challenged" or "questioned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been refuted" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a previous claim, argument, or idea has been proven to be false or incorrect. Ludwig provides numerous examples across various domains, affirming its consistent grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been refuted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to indicate the disproof of a claim or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely employed across various domains, notably in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the refutation is well-supported. Consider alternatives like "has been disproven" or "has been debunked" to fine-tune the meaning in specific contexts. Steer clear of employing it when evidence is merely suggestive. The phrase fits well within formal and neutral registers, making it appropriate for professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been disproven

Direct synonym indicating definitive proof against something.

has been debunked

Suggests exposure of falseness, often of a widely held belief.

has been invalidated

Implies that something was once valid but no longer is.

has been contradicted

Indicates a conflicting statement or evidence.

has been challenged

Suggests a questioning of the validity, rather than outright disproof.

has been overturned

Often used when a previous decision or finding is reversed.

has been negated

Implies that something has been nullified or made ineffective.

has been discredited

Suggests a loss of credibility or reputation.

has been exploded

Emphasizes a dramatic or forceful disproof.

has been undermined

Suggests a weakening of the foundation or basis of something.

FAQs

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

Use "has been refuted" to indicate that a statement or idea has been proven wrong. For example, "The claim that vaccines cause autism has been refuted by numerous studies."

What is a synonym for "has been refuted"?

Alternatives include "has been disproven", "has been debunked", or "has been invalidated", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been refuted" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been refuted" is suitable for formal writing when you need to clearly and definitively state that a claim has been proven false. Its formality level is neutral.

What's the difference between "has been refuted" and "has been challenged"?

"Has been refuted" implies a complete disproof, while "has been challenged" suggests that something has been questioned but not necessarily disproven. A challenge opens the door for discussion and investigation, while a refutation aims to close it.