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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

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has not been

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'has not been' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that has not been taken yet, or a state of being that has not been achieved. For example: "The financial aid paperwork has not been submitted yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has not been.

He has not been.

News & Media

The New York Times

Casting has not been announced.

News & Media

The New York Times

That has not been difficult.

News & Media

The Economist

Gagliardi has not been lucky.

He has not been idle.

It has not been completed".

News & Media

The New York Times

It has not been pleasant.

News & Media

Independent

It has not been melodious.

Spending has not been determined.

News & Media

The New York Times

There has not been one.

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not been", ensure the tense aligns with the context. Use it for actions or states that started in the past and continue to the present.

Common error

Avoid using "has not been" when referring to a completed action entirely in the past. In such cases, use "was not" or "did not".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

88%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not been" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating a state or action that started in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig's examples illustrate its wide application in denying completion or fulfillment. It can also express absence of a quality or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has not been" is a versatile and frequently used expression in the English language. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, as confirmed by Ludwig, it serves primarily to indicate the absence of completion or fulfillment of an action or state. Its neutrality makes it appropriate for various contexts, though primarily found in news and media. Remember to use it when referring to actions or states that began in the past and continue to the present. Alternatives like "has yet to be" and "remains to be" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "has not been" in a sentence?

Use "has not been" to describe an action or state that began in the past and continues to the present, for example, "The project "has not been" completed yet".

What's the difference between "has not been" and "was not"?

"Has not been" implies a continuing relevance to the present, while "was not" refers to something that occurred and ended in the past. For instance, "The problem "has not been" solved" suggests it's still ongoing, whereas "The problem was not solved" indicates it's concluded.

What can I say instead of "has not been"?

You can use alternatives like "has yet to be", "remains to be", or "hasn't been" depending on the specific context.

Is "has not been" formal or informal?

"Has not been" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its contracted form, "hasn't been", is generally considered more informal.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: