have been decided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been decided" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that an opinion or choice has been established or agreed upon. For example: "The evening's activities have been decided; we will go to the movies and then out for dinner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The issues have been decided.

The New York Times

All six games have been decided by one goal.

The New York Times - Sports

These "modalities" should have been decided by April.

The Economist

Both of them have been decided by spot-kicks.

The Guardian - Sport

Three Italian governments have been decided by the EU.

The Guardian

A generation earlier, she says, her role would have been decided.

The New York Times - Books

The other five games in that span have been decided by just 21 total points.

The New York Times

Our destiny may have been decided at the airfield in Tripoli.

The New York Times

All six games have been decided by one goal, an N.H.L. first.

The New York Times - Sports

Four cases have been decided by an arbitrator, with one dealer prevailing.

The New York Times

Fourteen of the last 17 Bruins-Rangers games have been decided by one goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been decided" to clearly indicate that a decision has been finalized and is no longer subject to change. It emphasizes the completion of the decision-making process.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice, which can make writing seem vague or indirect. In some cases, consider rephrasing the sentence in the active voice for a more direct and impactful statement. For example, instead of "The results have been decided by the committee", try "The committee decided the results".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been decided" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that a decision or choice has been made by someone or something, though the actor is often not explicitly stated. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been decided" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that a decision has been finalized. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. While its passive voice construction should be used thoughtfully, it effectively conveys the completion of a decision-making process. Related phrases like "have been determined" or "have been resolved" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid overuse of passive voice for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been determined

Focuses on the process of finding something out or establishing it firmly.

have been resolved

Emphasizes the settling of a dispute or problem.

have been concluded

Suggests a formal ending or completion of a process.

have been settled

Implies a final agreement or arrangement has been made.

have been established

Highlights the act of setting something up or proving it.

have been agreed upon

Emphasizes the mutual consent involved in the decision.

are already fixed

Focuses on the unchangeable nature of the decisions.

have been ruled upon

Specifically refers to a judicial or authoritative decision.

are set in stone

Emphasizes the immutability and finality of the decisions.

are already chosen

Focuses on the selection process, implying that choices are made.

FAQs

How do I use "have been decided" in a sentence?

Use "have been decided" to indicate that choices or outcomes have been finalized. For example, "The arrangements for the conference "have been decided", and the schedule is now available".

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

You can use alternatives like "have been determined", "have been resolved", or "have been concluded" depending on the context.

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

"Have been decided" is used with plural subjects, while "has been decided" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The issues have been decided" (plural) versus "The issue has been decided" (singular).

What's the difference between "have been decided" and "were decided"?

"Have been decided" implies the decision was made recently and is still relevant, while "were decided" suggests the decision occurred in the past and may no longer be current. For example, "The plans "have been decided" for the next quarter" versus "The terms were decided last year".