has been used

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been used' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been employed, utilized, or employed in the past. For example, "The phrase 'it's raining cats and dogs' has been used for centuries to describe a heavy rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Spare capacity has been used up.

The Economist

Reconciliation has been used periodically before.

The New York Times

(This has been used in pay stations).

The New Yorker

It has been used before.

The Washington Post

An arbitrary resolution has been used.

University of California, Berkeley

That strategy has been used before.

The New York Times - Sports

Repeat until all batter has been used.

The New York Times - Food

It has been used as a rental.

The New York Times - Travel

The phrase "golden age" has been used.

The Guardian

It has been used to prosecute whistleblowers.

The Guardian

It has been used for quarrying salt.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process, use "has been used" to clearly indicate that a method or tool was employed in the past. This avoids ambiguity and provides context to your explanation.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "has been used" in passive voice, as it can make your writing sound weak and indirect. Instead, consider restructuring your sentences to use active voice where appropriate to make your writing more concise and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been used" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating the passive perfect tense. It signifies that an action of using something was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been used" is a grammatically correct and highly prevalent auxiliary verb phrase indicating past utilization with present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its widespread use across diverse fields such as science, news, and academia. While versatile, writers should avoid overusing it in passive constructions and consider more active alternatives for greater impact. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, though more formal synonyms exist for specific needs. Understanding its function and purpose allows for more effective and nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was utilized

Replaces the verb 'used' with 'utilized', implying a more formal or efficient application.

has been employed

Similar to 'utilized' but can also imply a deliberate engagement or deployment.

has been implemented

Suggests a more structured or systematic application of something.

was put to use

A more informal way of saying something was used.

has seen application

Emphasizes the act of applying something rather than just using it.

has found application

Suggests that something has been discovered to be useful in a particular context.

has been leveraged

Implies using something to gain an advantage or achieve a specific outcome.

has been adopted

Implies a conscious decision to start using something.

has been exercised

Suggests the use of a power, right, or quality.

has had recourse to

Indicates that someone or something has turned to a particular option or resource.

FAQs

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

You can use more formal alternatives such as "was utilized", "has been implemented", or "has been employed" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "has been used" and "was used"?

"Has been used" implies that something was used at some point in the past and is relevant to the present, whereas "was used" simply indicates that something was used at a specific point in the past without necessarily implying ongoing relevance.

How to avoid overusing "has been used" in my writing?

Try to use active voice instead of passive voice. For example, instead of "The tool has been used by the team", you can say "The team used the tool". Also, try to replace it with synonyms like "was put to use", or "saw application".

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "has been used"?

It is appropriate to use "has been used" when you want to emphasize that something has been employed or applied previously and that this past usage is relevant or important to the current discussion or situation. For example when describing a methodology, tool or a specific technique.