have been contested

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been contested" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been challenged or disputed over a period of time. Example: "The results of the election have been contested by several candidates who claim irregularities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are other points that might have been contested.

Independent

The implications of these language studies have been contested, however.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Both areas have been contested recently by rebels fighting the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

The New York Times

"And the few claims for it that people try to make have been contested.

The New Yorker

Even small prefight details between the two combatants have been contested.

The New York Times - Sports

But those figures have been contested by Love and other campaigners.

The Guardian

Cross-country is one of six events that have been contested in every Winter Olympics.

The New York Times

In the 20th century alone, international borders within the geographical area of Macedonia have been contested on many occasions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eight previous Opens have been contested at Birkdale, and each was won by an Australian or an American.

The New York Times - Sports

For the first time, the Olympic finals have been contested between 10 a.m. and noon instead of at night.

The New York Times - Sports

This threatens the Goldman Pairs, which have been contested every year since 1929, surely the long-running annual bridge event in the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been contested" when you want to express that something has been actively challenged or disputed, often over a period of time. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the contesting.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "have been contested" when a more direct, active voice would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "The results have been contested by the opposition", consider "The opposition has contested the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been contested" functions as a passive voice construction of the verb 'contest'. It indicates that a subject (e.g., an idea, a result, a claim) has been challenged or disputed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been contested" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that has faced challenges or disputes. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a valid and usable expression in English. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral register. While alternatives like "have been challenged" or "have been disputed" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. When using the phrase, ensure clarity and avoid overusing the passive voice. Considering the frequency and varied contexts, mastering the use of "have been contested" is a good addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been challenged

Emphasizes a direct confrontation or questioning of something.

have been disputed

Highlights disagreement or debate over the validity of something.

have been questioned

Suggests doubt or uncertainty about something's accuracy or reliability.

have been debated

Implies a formal discussion with differing viewpoints.

have been argued

Indicates a presentation of reasons for or against something.

have been opposed

Focuses on active resistance or disagreement.

have been resisted

Suggests a stronger form of opposition, often implying action to prevent something.

have been contradicted

Highlights a direct conflict or inconsistency with other information.

have been undermined

Suggests a weakening of something's foundation or credibility.

have been invalidated

Implies that something has been proven false or without merit.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been contested" to indicate that something has been challenged or disputed. For example, "The election results "have been contested" by multiple parties".

What can I say instead of "have been contested"?

Alternatives include "have been challenged", "have been disputed", or "have been questioned", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "have been contested" or "were contested"?

"Have been contested" is used when referring to something that has been challenged over a period of time, while "were contested" refers to a specific past instance of contesting. For example, "The claims "have been contested" for years", versus "The election results "were contested" immediately after the vote".

What's the difference between "have been contested" and "are contested"?

"Have been contested" implies a past action with ongoing relevance, while "are contested" indicates a present state. For example, "The boundaries "have been contested" throughout history", versus "The property lines "are contested" in court".