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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
have been distinguished
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
have been identified
have been recognized
have been differentiated
have been discerned
have been characterized
have been classified
have been segregated
have been excellent
have been administered
have been observed
have been offered
have obtained
have been disaggregated
have been concluded
have been distinctive
have been dispensed
have been authorized
were provided
have been compared
have been viewed
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Two different designs have been distinguished.
Science
Two thickening processes have been distinguished experimentally.
Science
Several forms of idolatry have been distinguished.
Encyclopedias
Five classes of soil truncation have been distinguished.
Science
Seven major stratigraphic units, or formations, have been distinguished.
Encyclopedias
33 It is said that these cases have been distinguished.
Academia
As a result, different phases of ecosystem development have been distinguished.
In the zebrafish, 17 groups of such neurons have been distinguished.
Science
There have been distinguished two basic streams: energy flow and information flow.
Science
Two types of noise have been distinguished: Gaussian noise and spectrally localized noise.
Science
Different grades of shirk have been distinguished, apart from pure and blatant polytheism.
Encyclopedias
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.
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.
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.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
have been differentiated
Replaces "distinguished" with "differentiated", focusing on the process of identifying differences.
have been identified
Substitutes "distinguished" with "identified", highlighting the act of recognizing or pinpointing specific entities or characteristics.
have been recognized
Replaces "distinguished" with "recognized", emphasizing acknowledgement of notable qualities or achievements.
have been discerned
Substitutes "distinguished" with "discerned", focusing on the perception and understanding of subtle differences.
have been characterized
Replaces "distinguished" with "characterized", highlighting the identification of key traits or features.
have been classified
Replaces "distinguished" with "classified", emphasizing the categorization and systematic arrangement based on differences.
have been segregated
Substitutes "distinguished" with "segregated", highlighting the act of separating into distinct groups.
have been demarcated
Replaces "distinguished" with "demarcated", emphasizing the clear setting of boundaries or limits.
have been singled out
Substitutes "distinguished" with "singled out", highlighting the act of choosing or selecting from a larger group.
have been set apart
Replaces "distinguished" with "set apart", emphasizing the act of making something different or unique.
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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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
83%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested