has been retired

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "has been retired" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when referring to someone or something being removed or withdrawn from service or use. Example: The old locomotive has been retired from the train fleet and is now on display at the railway museum.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She has been retired for four years.

The New York Times - Sports

The vacherin has been retired.

The New York Times - Food

He has been retired since Mr. Bache's death.

The New Yorker

Ballabriggs, the 2011 Grand National winner, has been retired.

Independent

In official speak, the former agricultural land has been "retired".

The Guardian

Grandad has been retired longer than he has worked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Current Communications name has been retired; the company now goes by Cincinnati Communications.

The New York Times

She has been retired for four years, because of arthritis, but she gives juggling clinics.

The New Yorker

Awesome Again, winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic last Saturday, has been retired to stud.

The New York Times - Sports

(His father, also a violinist, has been retired from the orchestra for some time).

The New York Times

His locker at Hwang Karate in Freehold, N.J., has been retired.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to systems or products, use "has been retired" to denote not just the end of active use, but often the beginning of a phase where those items are either preserved, recycled or otherwise removed from their original purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "has been retired" when the active voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The company has been retired the product", use "The company has retired the product" or "The company retired the product".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been retired" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of retiring has been completed and its effects persist. It describes a state where something or someone is no longer in active service or use. This is supported by Ludwig's examples showcasing its application across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

18%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been retired" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase indicating that something or someone is no longer active or in service. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for written English and appears frequently across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, the specific context dictates the overall formality. When using "has been retired", ensure that the passive voice construction is appropriate and that the context clearly conveys the reason for the retirement. Remember to use the active voice when applicable to avoid awkward phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is no longer in service

Replaces 'retired' with a more descriptive phrase indicating the cessation of service.

is out of commission

Implies a temporary or permanent removal from active operation or use.

has been decommissioned

Specifically suggests a formal removal from service, often used for military or governmental equipment.

is no longer available

Indicates that something is not accessible or obtainable anymore.

has ceased operations

Highlights the termination of active functioning or business activities.

has been withdrawn

Suggests a removal or retraction from a particular context or use.

has been terminated

Indicates a formal ending or conclusion of something.

is defunct

Implies that something is no longer functioning or in existence.

is obsolete

Highlights the outdated or no longer useful status of something.

is past its prime

Indicates that something is no longer at its peak performance or usefulness.

FAQs

How do I properly use "has been retired" in a sentence?

"Has been retired" indicates something or someone is no longer active or in service. For example, "The old server "has been retired" and replaced with a newer model."

What phrases can I use instead of "has been retired"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "is no longer in service", "is out of commission", or "has been decommissioned".

Is it correct to say "was retired" instead of "has been retired"?

Both can be correct, but they have different implications. "Was retired" refers to a specific point in the past, while "has been retired" implies a state that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The athlete was retired after the 2020 Olympics" versus "The athlete "has been retired" since 2020."

What does it mean when a sports team retires a player's number?

When a sports team retires a player's number, it means that no other player on that team will wear that number again, honoring the contributions of the player whose number "has been retired".