have been circulated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been circulated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been distributed or shared among a group of people, typically in a formal or official context. Example: "The new policy documents have been circulated to all employees for review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Petitions have been circulated on his behalf.

The New York Times

Videos and photographs have been circulated of alleged police brutality.

The Guardian

"The full details of this warrant have been circulated to every EU country.

Independent

A similar edict would have appeared to have been circulated among programme makers.

The Guardian

His photograph and details have been circulated to all ports and airports.

The Guardian

More than 270 initiatives have been circulated in California since 1980.

The New York Times

The names of at least 24 people have been circulated by friends and family.

The Guardian

Petitions to "Save the Bar Car" have been circulated and signed over scotch on the rocks.

The New York Times

Rumours have been circulated that the MTA has announced the subway will be closed until Friday.

The Guardian

Wanted posters of the two men have been circulated throughout the country.

The Guardian

His photograph and details have been circulated nationally and ports and borders have been notified.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been circulated", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is circulating the information and who the intended recipients are. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been circulated" when a more active voice would make the sentence more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The memo has been circulated by the manager", consider "The manager circulated the memo".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been circulated" functions as a passive construction of the verb "circulate". It indicates that an action of distributing or spreading something has been performed, and the subject is the recipient, not the performer, of that action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been circulated" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that indicates something has been distributed or shared among a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it serves to inform and report on the distribution of information, documents, or items. While versatile, it's important to consider whether an active voice might create a more direct and engaging sentence. Alternatives like "have been distributed" or "have been disseminated" can offer nuanced variations in meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been distributed

Emphasizes a broader distribution, possibly less targeted than the original phrase.

have been disseminated

Suggests a wider, less controlled spread of information.

have been spread

Implies a less formal or organized distribution method.

have been issued

Indicates a formal release or announcement.

have been publicized

Focuses on making something known to the public.

have been transmitted

Suggests a transfer of information or data, often electronically.

have been broadcast

Implies a wide, public dissemination, typically through media.

have been propagated

Suggests a deliberate effort to spread or promote something.

have been relayed

Emphasizes the act of passing information from one person or group to another.

have been communicated

Highlights the act of conveying information.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been circulated" indicates that something has been distributed among a group. For example, "The new guidelines "have been circulated" to all team members".

What are some alternatives to "have been circulated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been distributed", "have been disseminated", or "have been spread".

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

While "have been circulated" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "The team circulated the document") can often make your writing more direct and impactful. Choose based on the desired emphasis.

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

It typically means that information, documents, or items have been shared or distributed among a specific group or within a defined area. The extent and method of distribution can vary.