has been spoilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been spoilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been damaged or ruined, often referring to food or a person's character. Example: "The milk has been spoilt due to improper storage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Downstairs, I try to lose myself in Lost, but can't - my evening has been spoilt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nor is there any truth to the argument that the lunar synchrony of old has been spoilt by artificial light.

The Guardian

Mr Easterly thinks Mr Sachs has been spoilt by this early success and now thinks that every problem is amenable to bold strokes.

The Economist

Kevin Parker, spokesman for the City supporters' club, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It will only take one of those idiots to decide to shout something stupid and then the whole situation has been spoilt for ever.

Independent

It is the main contributor to the build-up of nitrogen and phosphorus in the world's soils, producing too much ammonia (which is caustic), nitrous oxide (a greenhouse gas) and dead zones in oceans (the result of excess phosphorus).A fifth of the world's pasture has been spoilt by overgrazing.

The Economist

The men's game has been spoilt for absorbing grand slam finals in the era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Djokovic, but the New York Times agrees the four-hour, 54-minute contest – which tied the record for the longest US Open final �� was just as unforgettable.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Manhattan has been spoiled long enough.

The New York Times

"The market has been spoiled," he said.

The New York Times

My life has been spoiled by docs.

The Guardian - Film

But she knows she has been spoiled.

The Guardian

"The work — the counting system itself — has been spoiled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been spoilt", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being negatively affected, whether it's an object, an event, or a person's character.

Common error

Avoid using "has been spoilt" when an active voice construction is more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The surprise has been spoilt by the leak", consider "The leak spoilt the surprise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been spoilt" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a negative change or has been negatively affected by an action. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use in contexts where something is ruined or damaged.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been spoilt" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to express that something has been negatively impacted or ruined. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is generally correct and used in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While interchangeable with alternatives like "has been ruined" or "has been damaged", choosing "has been spoilt" often depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Bear in mind that "spoilt" is the British English spelling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been ruined

Replaces "spoilt" with "ruined", indicating a state of damage or destruction.

has been damaged

Substitutes "spoilt" with "damaged", suggesting physical or functional impairment.

has been tainted

Replaces "spoilt" with "tainted", implying contamination or moral corruption.

has been marred

Uses "marred" instead of "spoilt", focusing on the blemish or imperfection caused.

has gone bad

Replaces "spoilt" with "gone bad", commonly used for food that has decayed.

has been corrupted

Substitutes "spoilt" with "corrupted", suggesting moral decay or data corruption.

has been defiled

Replaces "spoilt" with "defiled", implying desecration or impurity.

has been wrecked

Uses "wrecked" instead of "spoilt", indicating a state of severe damage or destruction, often physical.

has turned sour

Replaces "spoilt" with "turned sour", suggesting a negative change in attitude or outcome.

has deteriorated

Substitutes "spoilt" with "deteriorated", indicating a gradual decline in quality or condition.

FAQs

What does "has been spoilt" mean?

The phrase "has been spoilt" means that something has been damaged, ruined, or negatively affected. It often implies that something good or desirable has been made less enjoyable or valuable due to some adverse event or condition.

What are some synonyms for "has been spoilt"?

Some synonyms for "has been spoilt" include "has been ruined", "has been damaged", "has been tainted", and "has gone bad". The best alternative depends on the specific context.

Is it "has been spoilt" or "has been spoiled"?

"Has been spoilt" and "has been spoiled" are both grammatically correct, but they reflect different regional spellings. "Spoilt" is the British English spelling, while "spoiled" is the American English spelling. Choose the spelling that is appropriate for your audience and context.

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

You can use "has been spoilt" to describe a situation where something positive has been negatively impacted. For example, "The ending of the movie "has been spoilt" by online spoilers" or "The child "has been spoilt" by too much attention".