have been born

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been born" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a verb phrase in the perfect tense. For example: "John and Mary have been born into a loving family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Claims to have been born"?

The New Yorker

She wouldn't have been born.

The New York Times - Books

To never have been born.

The Guardian

"You'd never have been born".

The New Yorker

I'd have been born in that time".

The New York Times

Three babies have been born H.I.V.-positive.

The New York Times

No babies have been born for years.

The Guardian - Tech

She really must have been born yesterday.

The New Yorker

He may have been born neurasthenic.

The New York Times - Arts

Already some have been born without eyes.

The Guardian

I would not have been born".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or statistical data, use "have been born" to refer to births over a period of time. For example: "Over 100 billion people have been born so far."

Common error

Avoid using "have been born" when referring to a single, completed event in the past. Instead, use "was born." For example, instead of "He have been born in 1980," say "He was born in 1980."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been born" functions as a present perfect passive construction. It describes an action (being born) that was completed at some point in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

17%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Huffington Post

8%

The New Yorker

3%

The Guardian

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been born" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to describe births up to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in various contexts. Primarily found in neutral registers such as News & Media and Wiki sources, "have been born" serves to highlight the total number of births or instances over time. When using this phrase, remember to avoid common errors such as using it for a single past event (instead, use "was born"). Alternatives such as "were born", "came into existence", and "were brought into the world" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were born

Simple past tense form, focusing on a specific point in the past.

came into existence

A more formal way to express the beginning of something's being.

began their life

Emphasizes the start of someone's or something's existence as a living entity.

were brought into the world

Emphasizes the act of giving birth and the newness of the arrival.

saw the light of day

An idiomatic expression for being born or coming into existence.

originated

Focuses on the origin or beginning of something, not necessarily a living being.

were created

Implies a deliberate act of creation or formation.

first emerged

Suggests a gradual appearance or development.

were conceived

Focuses on the initial act of conception or planning.

were generated

Implies production or creation, often in a more technical or abstract sense.

FAQs

How is "have been born" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have been born" is used to describe births that have occurred up to the present. For example, "Many advancements "have been made" since I have been born."

What's the difference between "was born" and "have been born"?

"Was born" refers to a specific event in the past (e.g., "She was born in 1990"), while "have been born" refers to events that extend to the present (e.g., "Many children have been born this year").

Is it correct to say "have been borned"?

No, "have been borned" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "have been born", where "born" is the past participle of "bear".

What are some synonyms for "have been born"?

Synonyms include "were born", "came into existence", and "were brought into the world", depending on the context.