has been tarnished

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been tarnished" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone's reputation or image has been damaged or made less desirable. Example: The company's image has been tarnished by recent unethical practices, leading to a decrease in customer trust.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

America's global brand has been tarnished.

The Economist

Now that too has been tarnished.

The New York Times

The skipper's reputation has been tarnished.

The Guardian - Sport

Islamic schools — their reputation has been tarnished through the media.

The New York Times

His court papers further say his reputation has been tarnished.

The Guardian - Opinion

He feels like his reputation has been tarnished unfairly".

The Guardian - Tech

Yet, alas, the show's clean image has been tarnished.

The New York Times

The image of the priest has been tarnished.

The New York Times

"The American model has been tarnished over the past year.

The New Yorker

"The reputation of the Guardian has been tarnished by your willingness to accept his article.

The Guardian - Opinion

The young man who was attempting to lead the company's transformation has been tarnished.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been tarnished", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Tarnished" implies a loss of shine or surface-level damage, not necessarily complete destruction. Ensure it accurately reflects the extent of the damage.

Common error

Avoid using "has been tarnished" when the subject has experienced irreparable damage or complete destruction. "Tarnished" suggests a surface-level blemish that can potentially be restored, whereas words like "ruined" or "destroyed" indicate a more profound and irreversible impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been tarnished" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has undergone a process of damage or degradation to its reputation or image. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its application in various contexts, as confirmed by the tool's AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been tarnished" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a decline in the reputation, image, or value of something, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most frequently used in News & Media contexts to highlight negative impacts. While it shares similarities with phrases like "has been damaged" or "has been tainted", it specifically implies a surface-level blemish that might be recoverable, not complete destruction. Therefore, using it accurately involves considering the specific extent of the damage you wish to convey. When in doubt, Ludwig provides a wealth of examples to guide its appropriate use in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been damaged

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical harm inflicted.

has been tainted

Implies contamination or corruption, often in a moral sense.

has been ruined

Suggests a complete loss of value or effectiveness.

has been discredited

Emphasizes a loss of credibility or believability.

has been compromised

Indicates a weakening or vulnerability due to external factors.

has been sullied

Highlights a stain or blemish on something previously pure or pristine.

has been besmirched

Similar to sullied, but often used in the context of reputation or honor.

has been stained

Focuses on a lasting mark or disfigurement.

has lost its luster

Describes the loss of initial brilliance or appeal.

has fallen into disrepute

Indicates a decline in public esteem or approval.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been tarnished" to describe something whose reputation or image has been damaged, for example, "The company's reputation "has been tarnished" by the scandal".

What are some alternatives to using "has been tarnished"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been damaged", "has been tainted", or "has been ruined".

Is it correct to say "has been tarnished"?

Yes, "has been tarnished" is grammatically correct and widely used to indicate that something's reputation or image has suffered damage.

What does it mean when something "has been tarnished"?

When something "has been tarnished", it means its image, reputation, or value has been diminished or damaged, often due to negative events or actions.