has been spent

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been spent" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the perfect form of verbs to indicate something has been completed in the past. For example: "The entire budget has been spent on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing has been spent.

Independent

The money has been spent.

The New York Times

But less than half has been spent.

The Economist

Federal stimulus money has been spent.

The New York Times

He can backfill what has been spent".

Independent

So far, $455 million has been spent.

The New York Times

And, indeed, that money has been spent.

The New Yorker

Most has been spent through the government.

The Economist

Little of it has been spent.

The Economist

"Money has been spent.

The New Yorker

None has been spent on roofs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing budgets or finances, use "has been spent" to clearly indicate that money has already been used, differentiating it from allocated or planned spending.

Common error

Avoid confusing "has been spent" with "is being spent". The former indicates a completed action, while the latter describes an ongoing process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been spent" functions as the perfect passive form of the verb 'spend'. It indicates that an action of spending has been completed on a particular subject, as Ludwig shows, highlighting a finished state of resource allocation or consumption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been spent" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase indicating that resources have been utilized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as the perfect passive form and is suitable for various contexts, from formal reports to everyday conversations. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what exactly "has been spent" and avoid confusion with ongoing actions. Its prevalence in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian further validates its authoritative usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been allocated

Focuses on the formal assignment of resources rather than their consumption.

has been utilized

Emphasizes the practical use of something, often suggesting efficiency.

has been consumed

Highlights the complete using up of something, often with a sense of depletion.

has been disbursed

Specifically refers to the distribution of funds or resources.

has been invested

Indicates that resources have been put into something with the expectation of future benefit.

has been committed

Emphasizes a firm dedication or allocation of resources to a specific purpose.

funds have been expended

More formal way to say money has been used, often in official reports.

time has been devoted

Specifically refers to the dedication of time to a particular activity or purpose.

effort has been applied

Highlights the exertion of energy and resources towards a goal.

has been employed

Focuses on the way something has been put into service.

FAQs

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

Use "has been spent" to indicate that a resource, typically money or time, has already been used. For example, "The budget "has been spent" on the new project".

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

You can use alternatives like "has been allocated", "has been utilized", or "funds have been expended" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has been spent" or "has being spent"?

"Has been spent" is correct. "Has being spent" is grammatically incorrect as it misuses the present participle "being".

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

"Has been spent" indicates a completed action, meaning the spending is finished. "Is being spent" suggests an ongoing action, meaning the spending is still in progress.