have been discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something has been talked about in the past. Example: The various approaches to the problem have been discussed at length in the meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both concepts have been discussed.

The New York Times - Sports

Security measures have been discussed.

The New York Times

"Things have been discussed already," Hughes said.

Independent

Its limitations have been discussed.

Computer-Aided Design

Several other possibilities have been discussed.

The New York Times

Reasons behind these results have been discussed.

Superlattices and Microstructures

Parametric trends observed have been discussed.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Some simple characterization techniques have been discussed.

Handbook of Deposition Technologies for Films and Coatings Science, Applications and Technology

Possible causes and solutions have been discussed.

Journal of the European Ceramic Society

The findings have been discussed in detail.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Two specific examples have been discussed.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been discussed" when you want to indicate that a topic has been talked about previously, without necessarily specifying who did the discussing or the outcome of the discussion. This works well in formal contexts and academic writing where objectivity is important.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "have been discussed" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we talked about it" or "it came up" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been discussed" functions as the passive voice of the verb "discuss". It indicates that a subject has been the recipient of discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a standard and acceptable use in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

30%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been discussed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used construction to indicate that a topic has been talked about. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for formal and academic contexts, as shown by its frequent appearance in scientific papers, news articles, and academic texts. While versatile, it’s important to consider the tone and opt for more informal alternatives in casual conversation. Remember to use "has been discussed" for singular subjects and "have been discussed" for plural subjects. Understanding these nuances will help you use the phrase effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were under discussion

Highlights the state of being actively discussed, often implying ongoing conversations.

have been talked about

A more informal and direct way of saying "have been discussed".

have been considered

Emphasizes the act of thinking about something, rather than explicitly talking about it. It's more about contemplation than conversation.

were subject to discussion

A formal alternative indicating that the topics have been the object of conversation.

have been addressed

Suggests that the topic has been dealt with directly, often implying that solutions or actions have been proposed.

have been examined

Implies a more formal and detailed investigation or analysis of the subject.

have been reviewed

Focuses on the act of looking over something, often in a formal setting or for evaluation purposes.

have been debated

Indicates that there have been arguments or disagreements about the topic.

have been negotiated

Suggests discussions aimed at reaching an agreement, often in business or political contexts.

have been touched on

Indicates a brief or superficial discussion of the subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been discussed" to indicate that a topic has been talked about. For example: "The implications of the new policy "have been discussed" at length."

What are some alternatives to "have been discussed"?

Alternatives include "have been considered", "have been addressed", or "have been talked about", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, but "has been discussed" is used for singular subjects (e.g., "The issue has been discussed"), while "have been discussed" is used for plural subjects (e.g., "The issues have been discussed").

What's the difference between "have been discussed" and "were under discussion"?

"Have been discussed" implies that the discussion is complete, whereas "were under discussion" ("were under discussion") suggests that the discussion was ongoing at a particular time.