have been caught

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been caught" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "to catch" and is used to indicate that the action of catching occurred at some point in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: "The criminals have been caught by the police and are now in custody."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Six have been caught.

The New York Times

This should have been caught earlier".

The New York Times - Sports

They just may not have been caught".

The New Yorker

You have been caught out.

The Times

"Should it have been caught?

The Guardian - Arts

They shouldn't have been caught off guard.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More still have been caught plotting attacks.

The Guardian

"They have been caught on video camera.

The Guardian - Sport

But should it have been caught?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Baby turtles have been caught communicating with each other.

Science Magazine

Cancers that have been caught early respond best to therapy.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been caught", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action of catching. For example, "The suspects have been caught by the police."

Common error

Avoid using "have been catch" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "have been caught", which is the present perfect passive voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been caught" functions as the present perfect passive voice, indicating that the subject of the sentence has experienced the action of being caught. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples illustrating its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been caught" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase in English, serving as the present perfect passive voice. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Predominantly found in "News & Media", academic, and encyclopedia sources, it conveys that someone or something has been discovered or apprehended. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action of catching and avoiding the grammatical error "have been catch". Alternatives like "were apprehended" or "were discovered" 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 apprehended

Focuses specifically on the act of being arrested or formally taken into custody.

were found out

Similar to 'were discovered', but with a stronger implication of wrongdoing or being exposed.

were discovered

Emphasizes the act of being found out, especially when something was previously hidden or unknown.

were identified

Focuses on the act of recognizing or proving who someone is, often in connection to an event.

were exposed

Highlights the revealing of something that was meant to be secret or concealed.

were detected

Highlights the finding of something through observation or investigation.

were implicated

Suggests involvement in something, often a crime or scandal, but doesn't necessarily mean guilt is proven.

were captured

Emphasizes the act of being taken into control, especially in a situation involving pursuit or resistance.

got nabbed

An informal way of saying someone was caught, often used in casual conversation.

were seized

Often used when something is taken forcefully or legally by authorities.

FAQs

How do I use "have been caught" in a sentence?

Use "have been caught" to indicate that someone or something was discovered or apprehended at some point in the past. For example, "The spies "have been caught" by the authorities."

What can I say instead of "have been caught"?

You can use alternatives such as "were apprehended", "were discovered", or "were found out" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been caught" instead of "have been caught"?

Yes, but "has been caught" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He has been caught"), while "have been caught" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have been caught").

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

"Have been caught" implies an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present, while "were caught" simply describes a past event. For example, "They "have been caught" and are now in custody" versus "They "were caught" yesterday".