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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

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have been distinguished

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been distinguished' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is an example of the perfect passive tense of the verb 'distinguish.' You can use it to indicate that something or someone has been recognized or set apart from other things or people. Example: The winners of the award have been distinguished for their impressive achievements.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two different designs have been distinguished.

Two thickening processes have been distinguished experimentally.

Science

Polymer

Several forms of idolatry have been distinguished.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

Five classes of soil truncation have been distinguished.

Science

CATENA

Seven major stratigraphic units, or formations, have been distinguished.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

33 It is said that these cases have been distinguished.

As a result, different phases of ecosystem development have been distinguished.

In the zebrafish, 17 groups of such neurons have been distinguished.

There have been distinguished two basic streams: energy flow and information flow.

Two types of noise have been distinguished: Gaussian noise and spectrally localized noise.

Different grades of shirk have been distinguished, apart from pure and blatant polytheism.

Encyclopedias

Britannica
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been distinguished", ensure the context clearly indicates the criteria or basis upon which the distinction is made. This adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "have been distinguished" when an active voice would be more direct and concise. Overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound vague and less impactful.

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been distinguished" functions as the present perfect passive form of the verb "distinguish". It indicates that something has been recognized or set apart from others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been distinguished" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within formal and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate that something has been recognized or differentiated based on specific criteria. While alternatives like "have been identified" or "have been differentiated" exist, choosing "have been distinguished" implies a specific emphasis on recognition of unique qualities. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in defining the basis for distinction to enhance the precision of your writing. Remember that, although the phrase is helpful to describe differences in a objective way, an active voice may increase the engagement of the text and increase directness.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been distinguished" to indicate that certain items, people, or concepts have been recognized as different or unique. For instance, "The award winners "have been distinguished" for their contributions to science".

What are some alternatives to "have been distinguished"?

Alternatives include "have been identified", "have been recognized", or "have been differentiated", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "distinguish"?

While "have been distinguished" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "researchers distinguished") can sometimes make your writing more direct and engaging. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.

Which is correct: "have been distinguished" or "were distinguished"?

"Have been distinguished" implies a present perfect tense, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past that has relevance to the present. "Were distinguished" is past passive, indicating a completed action in the past with no necessary connection to the present. The choice depends on the intended meaning and context.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: