has been upheld

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been upheld" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a decision, ruling, or principle has been confirmed or maintained. Example: "The court's decision has been upheld by the appellate court, reinforcing the original ruling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

FDA jurisdiction has been upheld by the federal courts.

The Washington Post

That authority has been upheld twice by the Supreme Court.

The Washington Post

But Angiotech's patent has been upheld in the Netherlands.

The New York Times

The New Jersey law has been upheld on appeal.

The New York Times

Exporting has been upheld as the "Golden Standard" for industrial upgrading.

World Development

That decision has been upheld by court of appeal judges and supreme court justices.

The Guardian

But the rule has been upheld by the country's highest courts.

The New York Times

The signing ceremony symbolises that the balance has been upheld and renewed.

The Guardian - Opinion

This rule was established by Congress in 2011 and has been upheld since.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Cif belief readers can judge for themselves who has been upholding it or who has not.

The Guardian - Opinion

No such laws have been upheld.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been upheld" to indicate that a previous decision, law, or principle has been confirmed or supported by a higher authority or through repeated application. For instance, "The Supreme Court has upheld the lower court's decision."

Common error

Avoid using "has been upheld" in casual conversation or informal writing. It is generally more suitable for formal or legal contexts where precision and authority are important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been upheld" functions as a passive voice construction of the verb "uphold". It indicates that a decision, principle, or ruling has been supported or confirmed by a higher authority. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

32%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been upheld" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express that a decision, principle, or ruling has been supported or confirmed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's most frequently found in News & Media and Academia contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Its primary function is to assert the continued validity of something, often after scrutiny. While versatile, overuse in informal contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "has been confirmed" or "has been maintained" can be used in less formal settings. The examples provided highlight its consistent usage across varied authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been validated

Emphasizes the confirmation of correctness or accuracy.

has been confirmed

Focuses on the verification of a statement or decision.

has been sustained

Highlights the continuation or maintenance of a ruling or principle.

has been ratified

Implies formal approval or endorsement.

has been vindicated

Suggests that something has been proven right after doubt or opposition.

has been justified

Focuses on demonstrating the reasonableness or correctness of something.

has been maintained

Highlights the act of keeping something in its original state or condition.

has been preserved

Emphasizes the protection of something from harm or change.

has been supported

Focuses on the provision of assistance or backing.

has been defended

Highlights the act of protecting something from attack or criticism.

FAQs

How is "has been upheld" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal contexts, "has been upheld" indicates that a court's decision or a legal principle has been confirmed by a higher court or through subsequent rulings. It signifies that the initial judgment or principle remains valid and enforceable.

What are some alternatives to "has been upheld" in non-legal contexts?

In less formal settings, you can use alternatives such as "has been confirmed", "has been supported", or "has been maintained" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "has been upheld" in reference to abstract concepts?

Yes, "has been upheld" can be used in reference to abstract concepts such as principles, values, or traditions. For example, "The principle of free speech has been upheld throughout history."

What's the difference between "has been upheld" and "has been challenged"?

"Has been upheld" implies confirmation and validation, while "has been challenged" suggests that something has been questioned or opposed. These are antonyms; they represent opposite outcomes.