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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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have been defined

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been defined' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that has been previously established in a particular way. For example: "The roles and responsibilities of each team member have been defined in the company handbook."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Six EBV classes have been defined.

Science & Research

Nature

Seven randomly heterogeneous patterns have been defined.

The quasi-particle's characteristics have been defined.

Different HIP-based approaches have been defined.

Key variables have been defined for GTOS.

Their careers have been defined by big right hands.

returns the total number of parameters that have been defined.

Their lives, after all, have been defined by bad calls.

News & Media

The New York Times

Based on the proposed criterion, connected zones have been defined.

Conditions of propagation of wave modes have been defined.

Different architectural perspectives have been defined for selected quality concerns.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been defined" when you want to emphasize that a concept, rule, or characteristic has been formally established or explained. Be clear about who or what has done the defining to provide context.

Common error

While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on passive constructions like "have been defined" can make your writing sound vague. Consider using active voice where appropriate to make your writing more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The rules have been defined by the committee", try "The committee defined the rules".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been defined" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that something has undergone a process of definition. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's usage in various contexts to express that concepts, rules, or characteristics have been formally established.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

29%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been defined" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as Ludwig AI confirms. It indicates that a concept, rule, or characteristic has been formally established or explained. This phrase appears commonly in science, news, and academic writing. To improve your writing, remember to clarify who or what has done the defining and consider using the active voice when appropriate. Alternatives like "have been established" or "have been specified" may also be suitable depending on the specific context. By understanding the nuances of this phrase, you can enhance the precision and clarity of your communication.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been defined" indicates that something has been formally established or explained. For example, "The key performance indicators "have been defined" for the project's success".

What are some alternatives to "have been defined"?

You can use alternatives such as "have been established", "have been determined", or "have been specified" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been defined"?

While "have been defined" is grammatically correct in the passive voice, using the active voice can sometimes make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The terms "have been defined" by the author", you could say "The author defined the terms".

What is the difference between "have been defined" and "are defined"?

"Have been defined" implies that the definition was established at some point in the past and is still relevant. "Are defined" refers to how something is generally understood or accepted at the present time.

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Most frequent sentences: