has been returned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been returned' is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used in the context of something being sent back to its original location or to its owner. For example: "The book has been returned to the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His generosity has been returned.

The New York Times

Mr. Agca has been returned to prison in Turkey.

The New York Times

The key has been returned to its original owner.

The New York Times - Arts

Allan Simonsen's body has been returned to his family.

The Guardian - Sport

"The soldier has been returned to a coalition-controlled area".

The New York Times

Zeena, the younger daughter, has been returned to Britain by relatives.

The New York Times

In the new Yale edition, "may" has been returned, according to Stein's original manuscripts.

The New York Times - Books

Today, the ramshackle building largely has been returned to the glory of its Victorian heyday.

The New York Times

Yet rightful parents often do not learn that their child has been returned.

The Economist

Freddie Mac has received about $72 billion, of which $18 billion has been returned.

The New York Times

He has been returned to the federal prison he escaped from last July.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been returned" when you want to emphasize that something has been restored to its rightful owner or original location. For example, "The stolen painting has been returned to the museum."

Common error

While "has been returned" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using the active voice when appropriate, for example, instead of "The book has been returned by John", write "John returned the book".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been returned" functions as the passive voice of the verb "return" in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of returning something has been completed, and the result of that action is relevant in the present. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been returned" is a grammatically sound and very common expression, primarily used in news and media to indicate that something has been restored to its original place or owner. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the active voice as an alternative to avoid overuse of the passive voice. Related phrases include "was restored" and "was given back", offering subtle variations in meaning. The examples provided demonstrate its wide range of applications, from physical objects to people and even abstract concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been restored to

More specific, indicating the recipient of the returned item.

was given back

Changes the tense and voice slightly, focusing on the action of giving.

was restored

Emphasizes the act of bringing something back to its original condition.

was brought back

Emphasizes the action of retrieval and return.

was sent back

Focuses on the action of sending something to its origin.

was handed over

Highlights the transfer of possession.

was relinquished

Focuses on the act of someone giving something back.

was reverted

Implies a return to a previous state or condition.

has come back

Informal way to say something has returned.

is now back

A simpler way to say something is back in its place.

FAQs

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

"Has been returned" is used to indicate that something was taken or moved, and then brought back. For example, "The lost wallet has been returned to its owner".

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

"Has been returned" implies a completed action with present relevance (present perfect), whereas "was returned" simply indicates a past action (simple past).

What are some alternatives to "has been returned"?

Alternatives include "was restored", "was given back", or "was sent back", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been returned back"?

No, "has been returned back" is redundant. "Returned" already implies going back, so adding "back" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.