have been challenged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been challenged" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to talk about something that has been questioned, argued against, or put into doubt. For example, "The traditional moral values of our society have been challenged in recent years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, those arguments have been challenged.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These reports, however, have been challenged.

The Guardian

Economic explanations like these have been challenged.

The New Yorker

Some of those decisions have been challenged in court.

The New York Times

But many have been challenged since the recession.

The New York Times

On another night, the vacuity might have been challenged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those assumptions have been challenged on legal and scientific grounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both initiatives have been challenged in court by industry groups.

The New York Times

In some Arab countries, however, they have been challenged.

The Economist

The biblical underpinnings have been challenged by religious leaders.

The Washington Post

Eviction holidays have been challenged in other cities.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been challenged", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the challenging, either explicitly or implicitly. For example, specify which group or evidence challenges the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have been challenged" without indicating what exactly is being challenged or by whom. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been challenged" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has undergone an action (being challenged). As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

42%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been challenged" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to indicate that something has been questioned or opposed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears most commonly in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify what is being challenged and by whom. Alternatives such as "have been questioned" or "have been contested" can provide subtle differences in meaning. Remember to avoid vagueness by clearly stating the subject and source of the challenge.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been questioned

Focuses on the act of questioning the validity or truth of something.

have been contested

Emphasizes a formal dispute or challenge.

have been disputed

Highlights disagreement or argument about something.

have been called into question

Suggests doubt has been cast on something's validity.

have been opposed

Indicates resistance or disagreement with something.

have been refuted

Implies that something has been proven wrong or false.

have been contradicted

Highlights the existence of opposing statements or evidence.

have been debated

Focuses on formal discussion and argument.

have been undermined

Implies a weakening or subversion of something's validity or strength.

have faced scrutiny

Emphasizes careful and critical examination.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been challenged" to indicate that something has been questioned or opposed. For example, "The initial findings "have been challenged" by subsequent research".

What are some alternatives to "have been challenged"?

Alternatives include "have been questioned", "have been contested", or "have been disputed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "have been challenged" or "were challenged"?

Use "have been challenged" when referring to an ongoing or recently completed challenge. Use "were challenged" when referring to a challenge that occurred and concluded in the past. For instance, "The results "have been challenged" recently" versus "The results were challenged in 2010".

What does it mean when something is described as "having been challenged"?

It means that the validity, accuracy, or truth of something has been questioned or opposed, often requiring further examination or defense.