has been set off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been set off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been separated or distinguished from its surroundings, often in a technical or descriptive context. Example: "The alarm has been set off due to the smoke detected in the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

The current recession has been set off by the simultaneous bursting of property and credit bubbles.

The New York Times

In Mayne's version that world has been set off balance, as if to allow for imperfections, and it is inhabited by students.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Stachowski's impending title reflects the furious jockeying that has been set off by Mr. Smith's deal with the so-called Gang of Three.

The New York Times

Muriel Spark's imagination has been set off by real events before, but The Abbess of Crewe offered a drastically transformed account of Watergate.

The Guardian - Books

The real question for the Western universalists, then, is whether the cause of moderate Muslims is helped by the revolutionary war that has been set off by the American and British armies.

The New York Times

A1 Changes in Church Spur Moves A wave of church switching has been set off by the decision by the Episcopal Church USA to ordain a gay bishop, according to interviews with clergy members and parishioners.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

THE self-styled "Real IRA", a breakaway group of IRA die-hards bitterly opposed to the Good Friday political agreement, has been setting off bombs in Northern Ireland all year.

The Economist

Both explosions appear to have been set off by suicide bombers.

The Economist

Small bombs have been set off and dozens of schools have been burned.

The New York Times

The protests had been set off by the death of the reform-minded party leader Hu Yaobang.

The New York Times

The biggest dollar declines have been set off by political decisions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been set off" when you want to emphasize that an event or action was triggered by something else. For example, "The alarm "has been set off" by the smoke."

Common error

Avoid using "has been set off" when you mean "departed" or "began a journey". "Set off" can also mean to start a journey, but the past participle "has been set off" does not fit this meaning. For travel, use "has set off" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been set off" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been triggered or initiated by an external cause. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct and acceptable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

21%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been set off" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has been triggered or initiated by an external cause. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and acceptable for use. It is found most frequently in news and media contexts, with less frequent occurrences in science and encyclopedias. While versatile, ensure the phrase aligns with the intended cause-and-effect relationship, and avoid confusion with the "set off" used to indicate departure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was triggered

Focuses on the act of initiating or activating something.

was initiated

Emphasizes the start or beginning of a process or event.

was sparked

Suggests a sudden or abrupt beginning, often implying a cause-and-effect relationship.

was provoked

Indicates that something was deliberately caused or incited.

was unleashed

Implies a release of pent-up energy or force.

was activated

Highlights the process of bringing something into operation.

was commenced

Highlights a formal or official start.

was originated

Focuses on the point where something came into existence.

was prompted

Suggests a specific cause or reason that led to the event.

was incited

Highlights the act of urging or encouraging something to happen, potentially negative.

FAQs

What does "has been set off" mean?

The phrase "has been set off" means that something has been triggered, initiated, or caused to begin. For example, "The explosion "has been set off" by a faulty wire" indicates the explosion started due to the wire.

What are some synonyms for "has been set off"?

Alternatives to "has been set off" include "was triggered", "was initiated", or "was sparked". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How to use "has been set off" in a sentence?

Use "has been set off" to describe something that has been activated or initiated by an external cause. For instance, "The chain reaction "has been set off" by the initial event".

Is "has been set off" formal or informal?

The phrase "has been set off" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news reports, scientific articles, and everyday conversation.