have been disappeared

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been disappeared" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has gone missing or been taken away without a trace and without any explanation. For example, "Many people in the town have been disappeared without a trace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The book, citing Colombian investigative journalist Azalea Robles, claims that 250,000 Colombian civilians have been "disappeared" in the last two decades in Colombia, dwarfing the "disappearances" carried out (also with U.S. support by the way) by the fascist juntas of Argentina, Chile and Uruguay in the 1970's.

Huffington Post

They have been "disappeared".

The Guardian

Journalists are being routinely beaten up and some have been disappeared".

The Guardian

If so, she will be the only person to have been "disappeared" by loyalists.

The Guardian

Marie feared that some of those women might have been disappeared by the men in their lives.

The New Yorker

In this small village of 300 people, some 16 men have been "disappeared" by the US and 10 killed in night raids in the past two years.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Jews have been disappearing even in Berlin.

The New Yorker

Bees have been disappearing for centuries.

Columbia University

Dissidents have been disappearing, along with critical websites.

The Economist

Manufacturing jobs have been disappearing overseas for decades.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, bonsai trees have been disappearing in San Diego.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "have been disappeared" when you want to emphasize the forceful and often secretive nature of someone's disappearance, especially in contexts of political repression or human rights violations.

Common error

Avoid using "have been disappeared" in situations where a simpler term like "missing" or "vanished" would suffice. The phrase carries strong connotations of state-sponsored or organized crime-related disappearances and should be reserved for appropriate contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been disappeared" functions as a passive construction indicating that individuals were subjected to forced disappearance, often by state actors or other powerful entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been disappeared" is a grammatically sound passive construction that emphasizes the act of forced disappearance, typically by state or powerful entities, often implying political repression or human rights violations. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's crucial to use it judiciously, reserving it for contexts where the forceful and secretive nature of the disappearance is central to the narrative. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, its usage is most prevalent in News & Media and Academic sources, reflecting its relevance in discussions of human rights and political violence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have vanished

This alternative focuses on the sudden and complete disappearance of someone or something, similar to "have been disappeared" but without necessarily implying external force.

have gone missing

This phrase is a more common and neutral way of saying someone is missing, without implying foul play or coercion.

have been abducted

This alternative specifically indicates that someone has been taken against their will, adding an element of forced removal not always present in "have been disappeared".

have been spirited away

This suggests a mysterious or magical disappearance, often used in a more figurative or literary context.

have been taken

This is a simple way to suggest that people were removed, but is not as strong as "have been disappeared" because it lacks the connotation of forced or secret removal.

have been lost

Implies an accidental or unintentional disappearance, rather than a deliberate one.

have been liquidated

Suggests a more violent and final end, often used in contexts of organized crime or political purges.

have been eliminated

This implies a deliberate removal, but may not necessarily mean the person is physically gone.

are unaccounted for

This phrase indicates that the whereabouts of individuals are unknown, often in an official or bureaucratic context.

are missing in action

This term is typically used in military contexts to describe soldiers whose fate is unknown.

FAQs

What does "have been disappeared" mean?

The phrase "have been disappeared" refers to a situation where people are secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state authority or political organization, often without any record or acknowledgement of their fate.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "have been disappeared"?

Use "have been disappeared" when you want to emphasize the forceful and secretive nature of someone's disappearance, particularly when it involves political repression or human rights violations. It's a stronger term than simply saying someone "has gone missing".

Are there alternative phrases for "have been disappeared"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "have vanished", "have gone missing", or "have been abducted". However, these alternatives may not always capture the specific nuance of forced and secretive removal associated with the original phrase.

Is "have been disappeared" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have been disappeared" is grammatically correct as a passive construction. It's used to describe an action that has been done to someone or something, in this case, being forcibly disappeared. However, be sure to consider if using the passive voice is the most effective way to communicate your message.