have been contacted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been contacted" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone has already been contacted or spoken to about something. For example: "We have been contacted by a potential customer who is interested in our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The FCO have been contacted and asked to comment.

Independent

Ticketek and Brown's promoter have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian - Music

Nauruan government officials have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian

The ATO and Uber have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Icke and the immigration department have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian

More than 50 nations have been contacted by American diplomats.

The New York Times

Mirabella and her campaign spokesman have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Lawyers for Murdoch have been contacted for comment.

The Guardian

Passengers should already have been contacted by the airlines and been offered alternatives.

Independent

The BBC have been contacted for comment but have yet to respond.

Independent

Tom Daley's representatives have been contacted with a request for further comment.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been contacted", ensure the subject of the sentence clearly identifies who or what has been contacted to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using singular subjects with the phrase "have been contacted". For example, instead of saying "The company have been contacted", use "The company has been contacted" if you mean a single company.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been contacted" functions as the passive voice of the verb to contact. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has received communication from an unspecified agent. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in news reports and other contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been contacted" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that someone has received communication. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. It's most frequently used in news and media, but also appears in science and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and clarity. Alternatives include "were reached out to" and "were gotten in touch with", depending on the desired nuance. Remember to consider the context to make correct use of this expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were reached out to

Emphasizes the act of initiating contact, often implying a proactive effort.

were reached by

A more concise way of saying someone has made contact.

were gotten in touch with

Suggests a successful attempt to establish communication, often after some effort.

heard from

Indicates receiving news or information from someone.

received communication from

Highlights the receipt of a message or information from a specific source.

were approached by

Suggests someone initiated a conversation or made an offer.

were communicated with

Focuses on the exchange of information or ideas between parties.

were spoken to

Indicates a verbal exchange has occurred.

were notified

Implies a formal or official announcement was delivered.

had correspondence with

Emphasizes a series of communications, often written.

FAQs

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

Use "have been contacted" to indicate that someone or something has been reached or communicated with. For instance, "The police have been contacted about the incident" or "Many customers "have been notified" about the delay".

What's a formal alternative to "have been contacted"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "were reached out to" or "were gotten in touch with". These options sound more professional in business and academic contexts.

Is it correct to say "has been contacted" instead of "have been contacted"?

Yes, use "has been contacted" with singular subjects (e.g., "The manager has been contacted"), and "have been contacted" with plural subjects (e.g., "The managers "have been notified"").

What does "have been contacted" imply?

It implies that a connection or communication has been established, typically initiated by someone else. It suggests that someone has made an attempt to communicate and potentially received a response.