has been succeeded

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been succeeded' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a transition from one thing to another, for example: "The previous manager has been succeeded by a new leader."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

libMC has been succeeded by MC++.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Big Brother has been succeeded by Big Data.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She has been succeeded by newly recruited Nathan Bostock.

The Guardian - Business

Since 2005, Greenberg has been succeeded by three CEOs, the usual thing.

Yale University

But to what extent it has been succeeded is the question.

CATENA

AACR2 has been succeeded by Resource Description and Access (RDA), which was released in June 2010.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He has been succeeded on an interim basis by Mr. Levinsohn.

The New York Times

He has been succeeded by half-brother Salman, formerly governor of Riyadh.

Independent

Cardinal Levada has been succeeded by a German, Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller.

The New York Times

A healthy and humane world has been succeeded by one that is small and nasty.

The New York Times - Books

The epidemic of pink last year has been succeeded by a palette of oranges.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been succeeded", ensure clarity by specifying both the entity that was succeeded and the entity that has succeeded it. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "has been succeeded" without indicating who or what has taken over. Always specify the successor to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been succeeded" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating that a subject has been replaced by another. This construction is commonly used to describe transitions in roles, systems, or eras, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been succeeded" is a versatile and frequently used passive construction that effectively conveys the idea of replacement or transition. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, notably in news, academia, and science. While it's essential to clearly specify both the replaced and the succeeding entities to avoid ambiguity, its neutrality and broad applicability make it a valuable tool in both formal and informal communication. Knowing alternatives such as ""has been replaced by"" or ""has taken over from"" can also help refine your writing for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been replaced by

Focuses on the replacement aspect, highlighting what now occupies the previous position.

has superseded

Indicates that the previous entity is now obsolete or no longer in use.

is the successor to

Highlights the role of being the one who takes over a position or title.

has taken over from

Emphasizes the act of assuming control or responsibility from a predecessor.

has supplanted

A more formal term indicating a complete replacement, often with a sense of superiority.

has given way to

Suggests a gradual shift or transition from one state to another.

has followed

Suggests a sequence or progression, indicating that one thing came after another.

has come after

Similar to 'has followed' but with a slightly more informal tone.

has relieved

Implies that the previous entity was under some form of burden or pressure.

has stepped down for

Specifically indicates a voluntary relinquishing of a position or role.

FAQs

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

Use "has been succeeded" to indicate that someone or something has taken the place of a previous person or thing. For example, "The old system "has been succeeded" by a new, more efficient one."

What are some alternatives to saying "has been succeeded"?

Alternatives include "has been replaced by", "has taken over from", or "has been superseded", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had been succeeded" instead of "has been succeeded"?

"Had been succeeded" indicates a past perfect tense, suggesting the action was completed before another point in the past. "Has been succeeded" indicates a present perfect tense, suggesting the action is relevant to the present. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the events.

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

"Has been succeeded" implies a connection to the present, suggesting the effects of the succession are still relevant. "Was succeeded" simply states a past event without necessarily implying ongoing relevance. For example, "He "was succeeded" as CEO in 2020" simply states a fact, while "He "has been succeeded" as CEO, and the company is now thriving" implies the change is contributing to the company's current success.