has been thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an idea or concept has been considered or believed over a period of time. Example: "The theory has been thought to explain the phenomenon for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Every detail has been thought out.

The New York Times - Arts

Everything has been thought of.

The New York Times - Travel

Everything, in short, has been thought of.

The New York Times - Travel

Clearly, White's show has been thought through.

The Guardian

Phil Hughes has been thought of in that manner, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Every detail in it has been thought out.

The New York Times

"Storage has been thought about for years, but the costs have always been too high.

The New York Times - Science

Wither's verse has been thought monotonous, but its variety is surprising.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Poor injection technique has been thought to cause filler migration.

Insights into Imaging

The main potential mechanism of PQ toxicity has been thought to be mediated by ROS.

Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy

It has been thought that sleep abnormalities may underlie information processing deficits associated with this disorder.

Schizophrenia Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been thought" to introduce a concept or idea that was previously considered valid or important, but may now be questioned or re-evaluated. This creates a sense of historical perspective and invites critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "has been thought", as it can make your writing sound vague or impersonal. Use active voice where possible to clarify who is doing the thinking or believing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been thought" functions as a passive construction of the verb 'think', used to express a belief, idea, or theory that has been considered or held by people. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English, indicating a concept or idea that has been considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

18%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been thought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates a belief, idea, or theory previously considered valid, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to introduce concepts with historical context. It appears most commonly in science and news media, suggesting a formal tone. While "has been thought" is generally correct, it's essential to avoid overusing passive voice. Alternatives such as ""was considered"" or ""was believed"" can offer greater clarity in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been considered

Focuses on an evaluation or judgment that continues to the present.

has been believed

Highlights a conviction or acceptance as true that continues to the present.

was considered

Emphasizes a past evaluation or judgment about something.

was believed

Focuses on a past conviction or acceptance of something as true.

was assumed

Highlights a past presumption or acceptance of something without proof.

was once thought

Emphasizes a belief that was held at one time but may no longer be.

was hypothesized

Indicates a past proposed explanation based on limited evidence.

was regarded

Stresses a past particular opinion or estimation of someone or something.

was deemed

Suggests a past formal judgment or assessment.

was understood

Highlights the past level of comprehension or knowledge about something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has been thought" introduces a belief or idea that was previously held. For example: "It "has been thought" that exercise improves cognitive function."

What are some alternatives to "has been thought"?

Alternatives include "was considered", "was believed", or "was assumed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been think" instead of "has been thought"?

No, "has been think" is grammatically incorrect. The past participle of "think" is "thought", so the correct phrase is "has been thought".

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

"Has been thought" indicates a belief that existed in the past but may or may not be current. "Is thought" indicates a current belief or understanding.