have been broken

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence 'have been broken' is correct and usable in written English.
You may use it when you want to express that something was broken in the past. For example: "The windows have been broken and need to be replaced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"No laws have been broken".

The New York Times - Science

Family traditions have been broken.

The Economist

ethics code have been broken".

The New York Times - Sports

His have been broken up.

The New York Times

His hands have been broken.

The New Yorker

Metatarsals have been broken.

The New Yorker

Taboos have been broken".

The Guardian

That cycle appears to have been broken.

The New York Times - Sports

"Many hearts have been broken.

The New York Times

Their families have been broken.

The New York Times

Those hopes have been broken.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been broken" to clearly indicate a past action where something was broken by an unspecified agent. This emphasizes the state of being broken rather than who or what caused it.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "have been broken" when the actor is known and relevant. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The window have been broken by John", try "John broke the window".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been broken" functions as a verb phrase in the passive perfect tense. It indicates that an action of breaking occurred at some point in the past, and the state resulting from that action persists or is relevant in the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been broken" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in the passive perfect tense. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence in diverse contexts ranging from news and media to formal business settings. Its purpose is to communicate that something has been fractured, violated, or disrupted, focusing on the resultant state rather than the actor. While versatile, it's essential to consider whether active voice might provide more directness and impact to your writing. With its widespread usage across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, "have been broken" remains a reliable and effective phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been violated

Emphasizes the transgression of rules, agreements, or principles rather than physical damage.

have been breached

Similar to 'violated', often used in the context of security or contracts.

have been disrupted

Focuses on the interruption or disturbance of a process or system.

have been damaged

Highlights physical or non-physical harm.

have been shattered

Implies a more forceful and complete breaking, often used metaphorically.

have been infringed

Used specifically in contexts where rights or laws are contravened.

have been overturned

Suggests a reversal or cancellation of a decision or result.

have been invalidated

Highlights the act of making something null or without effect.

have been compromised

Indicates a weakening or undermining of something, often in the context of security or integrity.

have been repealed

Specifically used when a law or regulation is officially revoked.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been broken" indicates that something was broken in the past. For example: "The promises "have been broken"", or "The rules "have been broken"".

What are some alternatives to "have been broken"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "have been violated", "have been breached", or "have been disrupted".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been broken"?

While "have been broken" is grammatically correct, consider using the active voice for more directness and clarity. For instance, instead of "The window have been broken", you might say "Someone broke the window" if the actor is known.

Which is correct, "has been broken" or "have been broken"?

"Have been broken" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The windows have been broken"), while "has been broken" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The window has been broken").