have been detached

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been detached" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been separated or removed from a larger entity or system, often in a passive context. Example: "The wires have been detached from the main circuit board for safety reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Still other nonfictional writers have been detached, seemingly aloof, or, like the 17th-century French epigrammatist La Rochefoucauld, sarcastic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now the audio selections have been detached from the video, rerecorded in studio versions, and supplemented with a second disk of remixes.

The New Yorker

To begin with, it will be moved in pieces, and to that end its second story and roof have been detached.

The New York Times

GDP appears to have been detached from all that it is supposed to measure and has been imbued with an intrinsic value all of its own.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite their size, the missing canvases could have been detached from the wooden moldings that secured them to the walls with relative ease, before being rolled up, said Capt.

The New York Times

Consequently, idiomatic meanings have been "detached".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The availability of content has been detached by its accessibility.

The Guardian - Tech

Eckmann said the beard had probably loosened over the years and had been detached previously.

The Guardian

THAT is not to say that Mr. Harrison has been detached.

The New York Times

Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Tibet, and vast areas in Siberia and Central Asia had been detached from China.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It represents an architecture that has been detached from the history of ideas and consigned to the history of commodities.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a physical separation, consider using "have been detached" to clearly indicate that something was once connected but is now separate. For example, "The cable wires have been detached to prevent electrical hazards."

Common error

Avoid using "have been detached" in contexts where the separation is purely conceptual or metaphorical. Alternatives like "have been separated" or "have been disassociated" may be more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The idea have been detached from its original purpose", consider "The idea has been separated from its original purpose."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been detached" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of detaching has been completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and expresses a state resulting from a past action. The examples show its use in describing physical separations, such as parts of a building or wires.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been detached" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to describe a completed action of separation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. Its communicative purpose centers on highlighting a change in state from connected to separate. While applicable in formal writing, it maintains a neutral register and is commonly found in news, scientific, and general-purpose content. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a prior connection that has been broken, and consider alternatives like "have been separated" or "have been removed" in abstract contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been separated

Focuses on the act of dividing or keeping things apart, emphasizing the result of separation.

have been disconnected

Implies a break in connection, either physical or abstract, highlighting the loss of linkage.

have been removed

Emphasizes the act of taking something away, focusing on the displacement or extraction.

have been severed

Suggests a more forceful or complete separation, often implying a cutting action.

have been disengaged

Highlights the act of releasing or freeing something from a connection or hold.

have been isolated

Emphasizes the state of being set apart or kept away from others.

have been uncoupled

Specifically refers to the act of disconnecting two linked things, like train cars.

have been divorced

Implies a formal or legal separation, often used metaphorically for abstract concepts.

have been distanced

Focuses on increasing the space or separation between things, either physically or emotionally.

have been dissociated

Suggests a separation in the mind or a detachment from reality or one's feelings.

FAQs

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

Use "have been detached" to indicate that something was previously connected but is now separate. For example, "The sensor "has been detached" from the device" or "The building's second story "had been detached" for relocation."

What are some alternatives to "have been detached"?

Alternatives include "have been separated", "have been removed", "have been disconnected", or "have been isolated", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

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

Yes, "has been detached" is correct when referring to a singular subject, whereas "have been detached" is used for plural subjects. For example, "The wire has been detached" versus "The wires have been detached."

What's the difference between "have been detached" and "have been separated"?

While both imply a state of being apart, "have been detached" suggests a prior connection that has been broken or undone. "Have been separated" /s/have+been+separated is a more general term for being apart, without necessarily implying a previous attachment. For example, "The countries have been separated by a border" uses "separated" because there was no literal attachment.