has been untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has not been altered, disturbed, or affected in any way over a period of time. Example: "The ancient forest has been untouched for centuries, preserving its natural beauty and biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Travel

Music

Politics

Real Estate

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Mail has been untouched.

The Economist

But it has been untouched since.

The Guardian - Film

His small circle lies in an area that has been untouched for hundreds of years.

The New York Times - Science

Pemex has been untouched, in large part because of its extraordinary financial importance.

The Washington Post

Representing Hackney North and Stoke Newington, she has been untouched by the expenses scandal.

The Guardian

That catalogue has been untouched for years owing to it being split between different labels.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

All that I am saying is that I think there are questions about history that so far have been untouched and untouchable.

Vice

An examination reveals her to have been untouched.

The New York Times

Only the remotest moorland and mountaintops have been untouched.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Breivik, in contrast, seems to have been untouched by any human love.

The New Yorker

A career that had been untouched by misfortune has taken a precarious turn.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been untouched" to emphasize the unchanged or pristine condition of something, suggesting it remains in its original state. For instance, "The ancient artifact has been untouched for centuries, preserving its historical value."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "has been untouched". Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what entity performed the action (or inaction) that resulted in the untouched state. For example, instead of "The data has been untouched", specify "Researchers have left the data untouched".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been untouched" functions as a past participle phrase within a passive construction. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject has not experienced any alteration, modification, or impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical use is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Travel

8%

Less common in

Music

5%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been untouched" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as supported by Ludwig AI, to convey that something remains in its original state, unaltered over time. It appears most commonly in news, media and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to formal tone depending on the application. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in sentence structure and awareness of potential misuse of the passive voice. Consider alternatives like "remains pristine" or "has not been altered" for nuanced meaning. The abundance of examples from authoritative sources underscores its widespread acceptance and usability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains unchanged

Highlights the consistency and lack of variation over time.

has not been altered

Highlights the absence of modification or change.

has been left intact

Stresses the completeness and unbroken state of something.

remains pristine

Emphasizes the unspoiled and perfect condition, suggesting a higher degree of purity.

has not been disturbed

Implies a lack of intrusion or disruption.

remained unaffected

Focuses on the lack of impact or influence from external forces.

has resisted change

Implies an active opposition to being altered or transformed.

has been preserved

Indicates intentional maintenance of the original state.

has evaded modification

Suggests a successful avoidance of alteration, often in a challenging situation.

has stood the test of time

Conveys that something has not only remained but has also proven its durability.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has been untouched" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "remained unaltered", "was preserved", or "has evaded modification". The choice depends on the specific context.

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

It means that something "has not been altered", modified, or affected in any way. It retains its original condition or state.

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

Yes, "had been untouched" is correct, but it implies a past perfect tense. Use "had been untouched" to describe something that was untouched before a specific point in the past, whereas "has been untouched" refers to something that remains untouched up to the present.

What is the difference between "has been untouched" and "remains untouched"?

"Has been untouched" emphasizes the state of being unaltered over a period of time leading up to the present. "Remains untouched" focuses on the current state, emphasizing that it continues to be unaltered now.