have been compromised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been compromised" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in passive voice constructions to indicate that something or someone has been affected or undermined. Example: The security of our website may have been compromised by the recent hacking attempt.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even last year's Brexit referendum may have been compromised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Victims are often unaware their machines have been compromised.

The New York Times - Tech

It is not clear whether those tests have been compromised.

The New York Times

(The latter could have been compromised by food).

The New York Times - Food

"This worm has been so widespread that people have been compromised while downloading patches," LeBlanc said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Nearly 5 million parent accounts and 6.4 million children's profiles are believed to have been compromised.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Harvard is adamant in denying that its standards have been compromised.

The New York Times - Sports

By this point, however, the piece's surface pleasures have been compromised by deeper issues of storytelling.

The Guardian

"Investigations have been compromised," usually when drug traffickers bought information from corrupt Mexican agents.

The New York Times

Because, he says, the Met would have been compromised; he had to sacrifice his own career.

The Guardian

The safety of the steel is not thought to have been compromised.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been compromised", clearly specify what has been compromised to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the system has been compromised", specify "the network security has been compromised".

Common error

Avoid using "have been compromised" without providing context or details. Saying something "has been compromised" without explaining what or how can leave the reader confused and uncertain about the severity of the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been compromised" typically functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that the subject has been negatively affected or made vulnerable, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

20%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been compromised" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something has been negatively affected, whether it's security, integrity, or functionality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. With a neutral register, this phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic contexts. Related phrases include "have been jeopardized" and "have been undermined", offering nuanced alternatives. When using "have been compromised", ensure you clearly specify what has been compromised to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been jeopardized

This alternative suggests a risk of failure or damage, highlighting the potential negative consequences.

have been undermined

This indicates a weakening or destabilization, focusing on the erosion of strength or effectiveness.

have been exposed

This suggests a revelation of something previously hidden, highlighting vulnerability to scrutiny or attack.

have been tainted

This implies a loss of purity or integrity, focusing on the introduction of something negative or undesirable.

have been corrupted

This indicates a state of moral decay or dishonesty, highlighting a decline from a previous state of virtue.

have been violated

This suggests a transgression or breach of rules, boundaries, or rights, emphasizing a sense of wrongdoing.

have been breached

This alternative suggests a security failure where a defense or barrier has been penetrated, emphasizing a vulnerability.

have been weakened

Focuses on the reduction of strength or power, implying a diminished capacity to resist or function effectively.

have been subverted

This indicates an undermining of power or authority, often through deceit or treachery, highlighting a hidden agenda.

have been destabilized

This alternative suggests a loss of stability or equilibrium, emphasizing a disruption of the normal state.

FAQs

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

When something is said to "have been compromised", it means its security, integrity, or functionality has been negatively affected. This can refer to data breaches, security vulnerabilities, or a loss of quality or effectiveness.

What are some situations where you might say something "have been compromised"?

This phrase is used when security is breached, such as a computer system after a cyberattack, or when integrity is questioned, like an investigation where evidence might "have been tampered with".

How can I rephrase the sentence "the data may "have been compromised""?

Alternatives include "the data may "have been exposed"", "the data may "have been breached"", or "the data's security may "have been violated"", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between saying something "has been compromised" versus "has been jeopardized"?

While similar, "has been compromised" implies a completed negative impact, while "has been jeopardized" suggests a risk of future harm or failure. "Compromised" indicates something has already suffered, while "jeopardized" suggests it's currently at risk. The phrase "have been jeopardized" is future oriented.