Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

has been was

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been was" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be a combination of two different verb tenses that do not work together in standard English grammar. Example: "The project has been was delayed due to unforeseen circumstances." (This is incorrect.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Mannone, a popular character wherever he has been, was warmly acclaimed by his team-mates for delivering them to Wembley.

News & Media

Independent

The oil catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, as horrible as it has been, was yet another opportunity.

News & Media

The New York Times

A 42-year-old woman has been was arrested by police investigating phone hacking, on suspicion of money-laundering offences.

News & Media

The Guardian

Ever since Kagan's thesis surfaced, of course, the big question around the conservative blogosphere has been: was (and is) the lady herself a (cover the children's ears) socialist?

News & Media

The New Yorker

This week's row over child benefit, bitter and embarrassing though it has been, was merely a foretaste of the strife to come.

News & Media

The Economist

I think the war in Iraq has been — was flawed not just in execution but in conception, and has done enormous damage to our standing around the world.

News & Media

The New Yorker
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

This has been been corrected.

Obama has been being president.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"All there has been is totalitarian persecution".

News & Media

The Guardian

Volkswagen has been, is and will always be my life.

That vine has been been growing slimmer and slimmer.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When constructing sentences, carefully consider the intended tense and use either "has been" for present perfect or "was" for simple past, avoiding the combination "has been was".

Common error

Avoid mixing present perfect and simple past tenses. The construction "has been was" inappropriately combines these, leading to grammatical errors. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timing of the action.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been was" is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to combine the present perfect auxiliary verb "has been" with the past simple verb "was", creating an ungrammatical construction. Ludwig AI confirms it is not correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been was" is grammatically incorrect due to its improper combination of present perfect and simple past tenses. Ludwig AI analysis confirms this, indicating it's not correct in written English. The intended meaning is usually to describe a past state or action relevant to the present, but it fails to do so effectively. Correct alternatives include "has been" or "was", depending on the intended tense. It's best to avoid this phrase in formal and informal writing and speech to maintain grammatical accuracy.

FAQs

What's grammatically wrong with the phrase "has been was"?

The phrase "has been was" combines present perfect ("has been") and simple past ("was") tenses incorrectly. Use "has been" for actions starting in the past that continue or have relevance to the present, or use "was" for completed past actions.

When should I use "has been" instead of "has been was"?

"Has been" is used to describe something that started in the past and continues to the present or has a result in the present. For example, "The project "has been delayed" due to weather conditions" is correct.

What are some alternatives to using "has been was" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can use "was", "has been", or "had been". Choose the tense that best fits the time frame you are describing.

Is "has been being" a correct alternative to "has been was"?

While "has been being" is grammatically correct, it indicates an action that started in the past and has been continuously happening. It is only a valid substitute for "has been was" if that is the intended meaning. Otherwise, "has been" or "was" are more appropriate.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: