has been surrounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been surrounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone is encircled or enclosed by others, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "The castle has been surrounded by enemy forces, making it difficult for the inhabitants to escape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hama has been surrounded since Sunday.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, he has been surrounded by scandal.

The New York Times - Sports

The assassination of Bhutto, 54, has been surrounded by questions.

Independent

For years, Waterloo has been surrounded by ambivalence and distortion.

The Guardian

Deep Roots in an Industry Moses has been surrounded by dogs his entire life.

The New York Times - Sports

Gucci has been surrounded by vitriol since LVMH bought an unwelcome 34% stake in the business.

The Guardian - Business

For well more than a year now, the building has been surrounded by scaffolding.

The New York Times

Major McConnell, 43, has been surrounded by soldiers all her life.

The New York Times - Style

He has been surrounded by some awful people, people with serious criminal records.

The New Yorker

Ms. Griffith has been surrounded by experts in Fosse-style flair.

The New York Times

Their trial has been surrounded by absolute secrecy since it began last Thursday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "has been surrounded" to describe situations where a physical location is encircled (e.g., "The city has been surrounded by floodwaters") or when a person or entity is figuratively enclosed by circumstances or influences (e.g., "The project has been surrounded by controversy").

Common error

Avoid using "has been surrounded" solely for positive connotations. While it can describe being enveloped by positive influences, the phrase often implies a sense of limitation, threat, or intense external pressure. Be mindful of these potential implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been surrounded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has received the action of being encircled. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound. Examples show its usage in describing physical locations, events, or even abstract concepts that are subject to external forces or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been surrounded" is a versatile passive construction used to describe both literal and figurative encirclements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it conveys a sense of enclosure, influence, or pressure. While grammatically sound and widely used, careful consideration of the context is important to ensure accurate and effective communication. When you're writing, remember that it can be replaced with alternatives like "has been encircled" or "has been besieged" for subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been encircled

Emphasizes a circular enclosure, implying a complete barrier or containment.

has been besieged

Suggests a prolonged attack or pressure from all sides, often in a conflict context.

has been hemmed in

Implies restriction and lack of freedom due to surrounding elements.

has been encompassed

Suggests being completely included or surrounded by something.

has been confined

Implies restriction to a specific area or state, not necessarily by external forces.

has been isolated

Focuses on being separated or detached from others.

has been beset

Focuses on being troubled or afflicted by problems or difficulties.

has been trapped

Conveys a sense of being caught and unable to escape.

has been overwhelmed

Highlights being overpowered by a large amount of something, like emotions or tasks.

has been insulated

Emphasizes protection from external influences or forces.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has been surrounded" is used to describe a state of being enclosed or encircled, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The building has been surrounded by protesters" or "The decision has been surrounded by controversy".

What are some synonyms for "has been surrounded"?

Alternatives to "has been surrounded" include "has been encircled", "has been besieged", or "has been enclosed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is surrounded" instead of "has been surrounded"?

Both "is surrounded" and "has been surrounded" are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. "Is surrounded" implies a current state, while "has been surrounded" implies a state that began in the past and may or may not continue. Consider the context to decide which tense is more appropriate.

How does "has been surrounded" differ from "was surrounded"?

"Has been surrounded" is in the present perfect tense, suggesting the surrounding happened at an unspecified time in the past and may have relevance to the present. "Was surrounded" is in the past tense, indicating the surrounding happened and ended in the past with no necessary connection to the present.