have been affected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been affected' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the consequence of some event or action. For example: "Due to the pandemic, many people have been affected financially."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Builders have been affected too.

The New York Times

Policies have been affected too.

The Economist

Even fictional artists have been affected.

The New York Times - Arts

What other Palmyra relics have been affected?

Independent

Most of the buildings have been affected.

Independent

Hundreds of homes have been affected.

Independent

Another 17 million have been affected.

The New York Times - Sports

Our crops have been affected.

The Guardian

I doubt they would have been affected.

The Guardian - Books

A historic district could have been affected.

The New York Times

"But I have been affected by it".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been affected", clearly specify what or who caused the effect to provide context and clarity. For example, instead of saying "Businesses have been affected", specify "Businesses have been affected by the recent economic downturn."

Common error

Avoid using "have been affected" without specifying the subject or cause. Ensure your sentence provides enough information to understand the context. For example, clarify if you mean 'the environment' or 'local businesses' have been affected, and what caused the effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been affected" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject has undergone some form of impact or change as a result of an external force or event. As Ludwig suggests, it is a common way to express consequences or results.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been affected" is a grammatically sound and widely used construction for expressing that something or someone has experienced an impact or change, as validated by Ludwig AI. With a neutral register, it's suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the subject and cause of the effect. Consider alternatives like ""have been impacted"" or "have experienced consequences" for nuanced communication. The high frequency and source quality suggest its reliability and relevance in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been impacted

A more direct synonym, indicating an influence or effect.

have felt the effects of

Explicitly states the experience of feeling the impact of something.

have been influenced

Highlights the role of external factors in causing a change.

have experienced consequences

Replaces 'affected' with a more specific term, highlighting the results of an action or event.

have suffered repercussions

Emphasizes negative consequences resulting from an action or event.

have been altered

Focuses on the modifications that have occurred.

have undergone changes

Focuses on the transformation or alteration that has occurred.

have been subjected to

Highlights exposure to something, often negative.

have been touched

Suggests a lighter or more emotional impact.

have sustained damage

Implies harm or injury as a result of an event.

FAQs

How can I use "have been affected" in a sentence?

Use "have been affected" to describe the result of an event or action. For instance, "Many industries "have been impacted" by the new regulations."

What are some alternatives to "have been affected"?

You can use alternatives such as ""have been impacted"", "have experienced consequences", or "have suffered repercussions" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was affected" instead of "have been affected"?

Yes, but the choice depends on the tense you want to convey. "Was affected" refers to a single event in the past, while "have been affected" implies a continuing state or repeated occurrences up to the present.

What's the difference between "have been affected" and "have been influenced"?

"Have been affected" is broader and can refer to any kind of impact, positive or negative, while "have been influenced" specifically refers to being changed or guided by something or someone.