have been breached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been breached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a rule, agreement, or security measure has been violated or compromised. Example: "The company's data security protocols have been breached, leading to a significant data leak."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Apple could have been breached.

The New York Times

Human rights have been breached.

The Guardian

"The walls have been breached.

The New York Times

A video game maker could have been breached.

The New York Times

At the time of closing, this covenant must not have been breached in any material respect.

The New York Times

In other states, only people whose data have been breached would have that option.

The Washington Post

Experts who studied the documents said this principle appeared to have been breached.

The Guardian

Here, there has obviously been considerable concern that the boundaries of decency have been breached.

The Guardian

"All the primary levees in Lincoln County have been breached or overtopped.

The New York Times

None of the companies would comment about whether their systems have been breached.

The Washington Post

There is no suggestion Fifa's rules on third-party ownership have been breached by Maldonado.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been breached", ensure the subject clearly identifies what has been violated (e.g., "security protocols", "agreements", "defenses") to provide clarity and context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "have been breached" in casual conversations or informal writing. While grammatically correct, it carries a formal tone and is more appropriate for professional or serious discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been breached" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something (like a security system, agreement, or boundary) has been violated or penetrated. It often highlights the result of an action rather than the actor. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been breached" is a versatile and widely used construction indicating that a rule, agreement, or security measure has been violated. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, especially in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, it's best suited for formal or professional communication rather than casual conversations. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; specify what exactly "have been breached" to provide context and prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "have been violated" or "have been compromised" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been violated

Indicates a formal or legal rule has been broken.

have been contravened

Similar to violated, emphasizing a direct contradiction of rules.

have been compromised

Suggests a weakening or corruption of security or principles.

have been infringed

Implies a legal right or boundary has been transgressed.

have been broken

A general term for failing to adhere to a rule or agreement.

have been penetrated

Indicates that a barrier or defense has been successfully passed.

have been transgressed

Suggests exceeding moral or ethical boundaries.

have been invaded

Implies an unwelcome intrusion into a protected space or system.

have been overstepped

Indicates the exceeding of a limit or boundary.

have been defied

Suggests a deliberate refusal to obey a rule or law.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been breached" to indicate that a security measure, agreement, or rule has been violated. For example, "The company's security systems "have been breached", resulting in a data leak".

What's the difference between "have been breached" and "have been violated"?

"Have been breached" often refers to a physical or digital security measure being overcome, while "have been violated" typically refers to a law, rule, or agreement that has been broken. Both imply a transgression, but the context differs slightly.

Which is more formal, "have been breached" or "have been broken"?

"Have been breached" is generally considered more formal than "have been broken". "Have been breached" is often used in professional or official contexts, while "have been broken" is more common in everyday language.

What can I say instead of "have been breached" in a less formal setting?

In a less formal setting, you can use alternatives like "have been broken", "were bypassed", or "were compromised" depending on the specific context.