have been cleaned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been cleaned" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: The windows have been cleaned and now they look crystal clear.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been cleaned out.

The New York Times

The streets have been cleaned by protesters.

The Guardian - Opinion

"116th Street would have been cleaned up".

The New York Times

The original brick walls have been cleaned, but not painted.

The New York Times

"All of them have been cleaned and are now occupied.

The New York Times

In the meantime, the place will have been cleaned up.

The Guardian

Rotten banks have been cleaned up and sold.

The Economist

The graffiti murals have been cleaned off the walls.

The New York Times

Bad mortgage debts have been cleaned out of banks.

The Economist

Seventeenth-century sculptures of cherubs and Jupiter have been cleaned.

The New York Times - Arts

The board and executive suite have been cleaned out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been cleaned", ensure the context clearly specifies what has been cleaned and, if relevant, by whom or what method. For example, "The data have been cleaned using the latest algorithms".

Common error

Avoid using "have been cleaned" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The room has been cleaned by John", consider "John cleaned the room" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been cleaned" functions as the passive voice of the verb 'to clean' in the present perfect tense. This construction indicates that an action of cleaning has been completed at some point in the past, with relevance to the present. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been cleaned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to communicate that something has undergone a cleaning process, with a focus on the resultant cleaner state. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse forms of communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what has been cleaned and consider whether the active voice might offer a more direct alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been sanitized

Emphasizes the removal of germs or bacteria, focusing on hygiene.

have been purified

Implies a process of removing impurities to achieve a higher degree of purity.

have been cleared

Suggests the removal of obstructions or unwanted items, creating space or order.

have been scrubbed

Highlights a thorough cleaning process, often involving physical effort.

have been disinfected

Focuses on eliminating infectious agents to prevent the spread of disease.

have been tidied up

Indicates a general improvement in neatness and order.

have been polished

Implies cleaning to enhance shine and appearance.

have been purged

Suggests the removal of undesirable elements, often in a more forceful or complete manner.

have been rectified

Indicates that an action has been taken to correct something.

have been remediated

Focuses on correcting contaminated condition to a harmless state.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been cleaned" to indicate that something has undergone a cleaning process. For example, "The streets "have been cleaned" by protesters" or "The data "have been cleaned" to remove inconsistencies".

What are some alternatives to "have been cleaned"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been sanitized", "have been purified", or "have been cleared".

Is it better to use "have been cleaned" or "were cleaned"?

The choice between "have been cleaned" and "were cleaned" depends on the subject. "Have been cleaned" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The rooms have been cleaned"), while "were cleaned" is also used with plural subjects but also in past continous tense (e.g. "The rooms were being cleaned while I was away").

What's the difference between "have been cleaned" and "have been cleaned up"?

"Have been cleaned" generally refers to the process of removing dirt or impurities. "Have been cleaned up" often implies a more thorough process that may also involve organizing or restoring order.