have been done

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to something already finished or completed. Example: All the arrangements for the party have been done.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What could have been done?

The New Yorker

And it could have been done.

The Economist

Could anything have been done for him?

The New Yorker

Everything should have been done openly".

The New York Times

The job will have been done forever.

The New York Times

But still, more could have been done.

The New York Times - Arts

Little harm would have been done.

The Economist

This should have been done sooner.

The New York Times

Since 2007, more studies have been done.

The New York Times - Health

"Terrible things have been done.

The New York Times

It would have been done".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing when choosing "have been done". While grammatically correct, alternative phrases might be more appropriate for specific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "have been done" when active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The report has been done by the team", prefer "The team has completed the report" for a clearer, more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been done" functions as a passive construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action has been completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI explains, it is a grammatically correct part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been done" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate the completion of an action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English. It finds common application in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific writing. While versatile, writers should consider whether an active voice construction would offer greater clarity and directness. Alternative phrases such as "were completed" or "were carried out" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were carried out

Emphasizes the execution or performance of actions or tasks.

were completed

Focuses on the finished state of tasks or projects.

were performed

Highlights the formal or procedural aspect of actions.

were achieved

Stresses the successful accomplishment of goals.

were implemented

Focuses on the putting into effect of plans or policies.

were enacted

Emphasizes the formal or legal aspect of implementing rules or laws.

were realized

Highlights the fulfillment of hopes, plans, or dreams.

were executed

Implies a more forceful or decisive accomplishment.

were brought about

Focuses on the causation or initiation of events.

were undertaken

Emphasizes the commencement or initiation of tasks, often implying a degree of commitment.

FAQs

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

Use "have been done" to indicate that an action has been completed. For example, "The experiments "have been done" carefully" or "All the preparations "have been done" for the event".

What are some alternatives to "have been done"?

Alternatives include "were completed", "were performed", or "were carried out". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been done"?

While "have been done" is in the passive voice, consider whether the active voice might be clearer and more direct. For instance, instead of "The research "has been done" by the scientists", you could say "The scientists "have completed" the research".

What is the difference between "have been done" and "were done"?

"Have been done" implies completion in the present perfect tense, indicating a past action with relevance to the present. "Were done" is in the simple past passive tense, referring to a completed action in the past without necessarily implying a connection to the present.