have been closed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "have been closed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the past tense of something that is no longer open or available. For example: The doors to the building have been closed, so entry is no longer allowed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both cases have been closed.

The New York Times

Several accounts have been closed.

The New York Times

Ten have been closed.

The Guardian - Business

Some failing schools have been closed altogether.

The Economist

Restaurants and bars have been closed.

Independent

Tibetan-language schools have been closed down.

The New York Times

Comments for this feature have been closed.

The New York Times

News agencies have been closed down.

The Economist

And the day centres have been closed.

The Guardian

Banks have been closed for a month.

The Economist

The surrounding roads have been closed.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been closed" to clearly indicate that something is no longer accessible or operational. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the closure is temporary or permanent.

Common error

Avoid using "have been close" when you mean "have been closed". "Close" and "closed" have different meanings; using the wrong one can confuse your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been closed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of closing has been completed, affecting the current state of the subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been closed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something is no longer accessible or operational. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the reason and duration of the closure. Consider alternatives like "have been shut down" or "are no longer open" to add nuance. Remember to use the correct tense and avoid confusing it with "have been close."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been shut down

Emphasizes the action of shutting something down, often implying a more forceful or permanent closure.

have been terminated

Suggests a formal ending or cessation, often used in business or legal contexts.

have ceased operations

Indicates that a business or organization has stopped functioning.

have been decommissioned

Suggests the formal removal of something from service, often used for military or industrial equipment.

are no longer open

A straightforward way of saying something is not currently available for use.

have been discontinued

Implies that something is no longer being produced or offered.

are out of service

Typically used for equipment or services that are temporarily or permanently unavailable.

have been suspended

Indicates a temporary closure or cessation of activity.

are not accessible

Highlights the lack of access to a place or resource.

have reached the end

A more metaphorical way to express the closure or termination of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been closed" to indicate that something is no longer open or accessible. For example, "The roads "have been closed" due to the snowstorm."

What's a more formal way to say "have been closed"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "have been terminated" or "have ceased operations", depending on the context.

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

"Have been closed" is used with plural subjects, while "has been closed" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The schools have been closed" versus "The school has been closed".

What's the difference between ""have been closed"" and "have been shut down"?

While both phrases indicate that something is no longer operational, "have been shut down" often implies a more forceful or abrupt closure.