has been unlocked

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been unlocked" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is the past participle of the verb "unlock" used in the present perfect tense to indicate that something was unlocked in the past and remains unlocked in the present. Example: The door to the room has been unlocked, allowing us to enter and explore its contents.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

After restoring the device in iTunes, the user is prompted with the usual unlocking message: "Congratulations, your iPhone has been unlocked".

TechCrunch

"The mayor special has been unlocked 140 times.

The New York Times

"Our Foursquare newbie offer for first time check-ins has been unlocked 1,151 times," said Ms. Young.

The New York Times

Extra funding to end malnutrition in developing countries has been unlocked before David Cameron's pre-G8 donor conference on Saturday.

The Guardian

Previously inaccessible, shale gas has been unlocked in recent years by advances in a drilling technology known as hydraulic fracturing, or hydrofracking.

The New York Times

The terminal has been unlocked by a friend, you've been left alone, and it contains several hundred interview clips concerning a fictional 1994 murder case.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

One of the stumbling blocks to date has been unlocking the promised funding amid wrangling between Brazil's three layers of government.

The Guardian - Sport

Once the phones have been "unlocked" to break their ties to AT&T, they can be used with local carriers.

The New York Times - Tech

The lights were still dimmed in the mall's marble corridor, but the Nayomi lingerie store had been unlocked.

The New Yorker

The building had been unlocked for the occasion by the city's Economic Development Corporation, which owns the structure.

The New York Times

By the end of the month, some 1.7 billion shares issued by 53 companies will have been unlocked.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "has been unlocked", ensure the context clearly indicates what was previously restricted and is now accessible. For example, "The potential of renewable energy has been unlocked through technological advancements".

Common error

Avoid using "has been unlocked" when the action is ongoing or continuous. Instead, use "is being unlocked" or "is unlocking" to indicate a process in progress. For example, instead of "The phone has been unlocking for the last hour", say "The phone is being unlocked now".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been unlocked" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a subject has undergone the action of being unlocked. Ludwig AI examples show its application across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

40%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been unlocked" is a versatile and frequently used expression indicating that something previously restricted or inaccessible is now available. As highlighted by Ludwig, this phrase appears across various contexts, from technology and gaming to finance and social issues. It's grammatically correct and suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it accurately to convey that a barrier has been removed and access "has been granted". While similar phrases exist, each carries subtle nuances that might make it more appropriate in specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has become accessible

Replaces "unlocked" with "accessible", emphasizing the state of being reachable or obtainable.

has been made available

Substitutes "unlocked" with "made available", focusing on the action of providing access.

has been freed

Uses "freed" instead of "unlocked", highlighting the liberation from constraints.

has been opened

Replaces "unlocked" with "opened", focusing on the action of making something accessible, especially physically.

has been activated

Emphasizes the initiation or enabling of a function or feature.

has been enabled

Focuses on granting the ability or permission for something to operate.

is now accessible

Shifts the tense to present, emphasizing current availability.

is now available

Similar to "is now accessible", but focuses on general availability.

has been released

Indicates a freeing from control or confinement.

has been declassified

Specifically indicates that information has been made public after being confidential.

FAQs

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

Use "has been unlocked" to indicate that something previously inaccessible or restricted is now available. For example, "The new level in the game "has been unlocked" after completing the previous one".

What are some alternatives to "has been unlocked"?

You can use alternatives such as "has become accessible", "has been made available", or "has been freed" depending on the specific context.

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

The choice between "had been unlocked" and "has been unlocked" depends on the time frame you're referring to. "Has been unlocked" implies the unlocking happened at some point in the past and is still relevant now. "Had been unlocked" refers to something that was unlocked before another point in the past.

Can "has been unlocked" apply to abstract concepts?

Yes, "has been unlocked" can be used for abstract concepts like potential, opportunities, or resources. For example, "The potential of this technology "has been unlocked" through recent innovations".