have been contained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been contained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been held or restricted within certain limits or boundaries over a period of time. Example: "The outbreak has been contained, and no new cases have been reported in the last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Thus far, moreover, they have been contained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Could the outbreak have been contained much sooner?

The Guardian

Hundreds of others have been contained or put out.

The New York Times

Even then, the damage could have been contained.

The Economist

And in countries with an even moderately functional health system, it could have been contained.

The Guardian

Remember all those months that the subprime problem was supposed to have been "contained"?

The New York Times

All those outbreaks have been contained by vaccinating millions of people nearby.

The New York Times - Health

We found that we did ask, repeatedly, for the kind of information that would have been contained in such videotapes.

The New York Times

New details of what may have been contained in the laptop were reported by The Washington Post.

The New York Times

Activists from Dara'a still insist that the pressures could have been contained, compromises reached, even after years of violent repression.

The New York Times

Financial contagion may have been contained for now by the European Central Bank, but political contagion is a growing risk.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been contained", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being controlled or restricted. For example, specify whether it's a fire, a disease, or information.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice. While "have been contained" is grammatically correct, actively framing the sentence (e.g., "Authorities contained the fire") can enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

"Have been contained" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that something has been subjected to a process of restriction or control. This grammatical structure is commonly used to describe the outcome of an action taken to limit the scope or impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms that this is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been contained" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that indicates a state of control or restriction. Ludwig AI confirms that is usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, it effectively communicates that a situation, such as an outbreak or a crisis, has been successfully managed and prevented from further escalation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly specifies what has been controlled and consider alternative phrasing for greater clarity or impact. Common synonyms include "have been controlled" and "have been restricted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been controlled

Replaces "contained" with "controlled", emphasizing the act of managing or regulating something.

have been restricted

Substitutes "contained" with "restricted", highlighting limitations or boundaries imposed.

have been brought under control

Replaces "contained" with a more active expression of gaining control.

have been checked

Uses "checked" instead of "contained", suggesting that something has been verified or examined to maintain control.

have been limited

Replaces "contained" with "limited", emphasizing a reduction in scope or extent.

have been suppressed

Substitutes "contained" with "suppressed", indicating a forceful prevention or inhibition.

were successfully kept under control

Emphasizes success in maintaining control, adding additional context.

were effectively managed

Focuses on the effectiveness of managing something, replacing "contained" with a broader management term.

the spread was prevented

Specifically addresses the prevention of spreading, offering a narrower context than "contained".

the issue was resolved

Suggests a complete solution to a problem, moving beyond mere containment.

FAQs

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

Use "have been contained" to describe a situation where something has been successfully restricted or kept within certain limits. For instance, "The initial outbreak of the virus "has been contained" by implementing strict quarantine measures".

What are some alternatives to "have been contained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been controlled", "have been restricted", or "have been limited".

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

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use "has been contained" for singular subjects (e.g., "The fire has been contained"), and "have been contained" for plural subjects (e.g., "The rumors have been contained").

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

It typically means that something, such as a threat, problem, or spread, has been successfully restricted or kept within certain boundaries, preventing it from escalating or affecting a wider area.