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

have been applied

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been applied" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been put into effect or utilized in the past and may still be relevant or ongoing. Example: "The new regulations have been applied to all departments to ensure compliance with the updated standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Subtler pressures may also have been applied.

News & Media

The Economist

None appears to have been applied here".

But few have been applied to design.

His highlights must have been applied by angels.

No new measures have been applied to our passengers".

News & Media

The Guardian

The terms also have been applied to certain plant movements.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

"Narcissist" and "vulgarian" have been applied to Trump.

News & Media

The Guardian

More recently, these approaches have been applied to knowledge work.

Such 'supersonic' excitations have been applied for ultrasound elasticity measurements.

Personal equations have been applied for the last two observers.

Generally, less stringent warrant requirements have been applied to vehicles.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been applied", ensure the context clearly indicates what is applying and to what it is being applied. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions with "have been applied", as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Whenever possible, rephrase the sentence to use an active voice, highlighting the actor performing the action.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been applied" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action has been completed by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI underlines that this construction is widely used to describe processes, rules, or methods that have been put into effect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been applied" is a grammatically sound and versatile construction used to indicate that something has been put into effect or utilized. Ludwig AI shows its prevalence across diverse fields, including science, news, and academia. Its communicative purpose is to inform about the implementation of methods, rules, or processes. While generally formal, it’s crucial to ensure clarity by specifying what is being applied and to what. To enhance writing, consider using alternatives like "have been implemented" or "have been utilized" for nuanced meanings. By adhering to best practices and avoiding passive voice overuse, you can effectively leverage "have been applied" in your writing.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been applied" to indicate that a rule, method, or technique has been put into effect or used. For example, "These principles "have been applied using membranes and adsorbents"."

What are some alternatives to "have been applied"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have been implemented", "have been utilized", or "have been employed", depending on the specific context.

Is "have been applied" formal or informal?

"Have been applied" is generally considered neutral to formal, suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What's the difference between "have been applied" and "were applied"?

"Have been applied" indicates that the application happened at some point in the past and may still be relevant or ongoing, whereas "were applied" suggests a completed action in the past with no implication of current relevance.

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

83%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: