have been dipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been dipped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that has been completed in the past and has relevance to the present, often in contexts involving food or objects being immersed in a liquid. Example: "The strawberries have been dipped in chocolate, making them a delicious treat for the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Mould into small dumplings using a couple of teaspoons that have been dipped in cold water.

Independent

I've seen a few Smart Fortwos that appear to have been dipped in Pepto-Bismol.

The New York Times

Takashimaya offers ethereal tree ornaments made from real leaves that have been dipped in copper.

The New York Times

And for many, it was a pair of sneakers that seemed to have been dipped in a rainbow.

The New York Times

He also suggests patting the face with sterile gauze pads that have been dipped in soy milk, because soy milk can help quell irritation.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, he appeared disappointed by his local version of a Caesar salad, which he said was like "bits of bread that appeared to have been dipped into a bowl full of lukewarm washing-up water".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Athletes from other countries have been dipping their toes in, too.

The New York Times - Sports

Of late, however, some mainstream brands have been dipping their toes into the water, usually taking a humorous tack that is meant to deflect criticism.

The New York Times

"The vast majority of them are familiar with mobile," he said, "but only a percentage of them have been dipping their toe in mobile shopping".

The New York Times

Bond mutual funds, which usually can be counted on for modest if unspectacular gains, have been dipping into negative territory for the year.

The New York Times

The guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and the bassist Jack Casady have been dipping into American folk, blues, and rock and roll for more than forty years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been dipped", ensure the context clearly indicates what was dipped and in what substance. For example, "The pretzels "have been dipped" in chocolate".

Common error

Avoid using "have been dipped" when the active voice is more direct and clear. Instead of "Mistakes "have been dipped" in the river itself", consider "Someone dipped the mistakes in the river itself".

Linguistic Context

The phrase ""have been dipped"" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of dipping has been completed at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. This grammatical structure is frequently used, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

19%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase ""have been dipped"" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes a past action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately portrays something that has undergone immersion. Predominantly found in contexts such as News & Media and Wiki, it serves the purpose of illustrating the current state of an object following a dipping process. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to ensure the context specifies what was dipped and in what. Consider using alternatives like "were immersed in" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were immersed in

Replaces "dipped" with "immersed", emphasizing a complete submersion.

had been submerged in

Substitutes "dipped" with "submerged", highlighting the act of being under a liquid.

were coated with

Focuses on the result of dipping, emphasizing the layer created on the surface.

had received a coating of

Similar to "were coated with" but uses a more formal tone.

were saturated in

Highlights the thoroughness of the dipping process, implying complete absorption.

were steeped in

Suggests a prolonged dipping, allowing for infusion or thorough saturation.

had undergone immersion in

A more technical and formal way of saying "were dipped".

were plunged into

Emphasizes the rapid and forceful nature of the dipping action.

were bathed in

Evokes a gentle and thorough coating, as if something is surrounded by the substance.

had been steeped in

Implies a longer duration of the dipping process to allow for thorough saturation or flavoring.

FAQs

How is ""have been dipped"" used in a sentence?

The phrase ""have been dipped"" is used to describe something that has been immersed in a liquid or substance. For example, "The strawberries "have been dipped" in chocolate."

What are some alternatives to ""have been dipped""?

Alternatives include "were immersed in", "were coated with", or "had been submerged in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say ""have been dipped"" or "was dipped"?

Both are grammatically correct, but ""have been dipped"" implies a more recent or relevant action, while "was dipped" is a simple past passive form.

Can ""have been dipped"" be used metaphorically?

Yes, ""have been dipped"" can be used metaphorically to describe something that seems to be thoroughly influenced by or covered in something, such as "The film seemed to "have been dipped" in nostalgia."