have been drained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been drained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state where something has been emptied or depleted over time, often referring to resources, energy, or emotions. Example: "After the long meeting, I felt that my energy levels have been drained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Swamps have been drained and trees cut.

The New York Times

Vietnam and Laos have been drained.

The Guardian

He must surely have been drained.

The Guardian - Sport

Its public coffers have been drained by wars and misspending.

The New York Times - Arts

These are words that have been drained of any meaning.

The Guardian

Where marshes have been drained to create tracts for new housing, ground will shrink, too.

The New Yorker

Retirement accounts and savings, they say, have been drained to pay legal fees.

The New York Times - Tech

Swamps of peat bog and grass marsh are everywhere, though many have been drained.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its public coffers have been drained dry by useless wars and wanton misspending.

The New York Times - Arts

The swamps and creeks that radiate from Lake Erie have been drained and trapped in culverts.

The New York Times

In effect, their lives have been drained of all emotional satisfaction..

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "have been drained", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is being depleted. For example, specify whether it's resources, energy, or emotions.

Common error

Avoid overusing "have been drained" in passive constructions, as it can make your writing sound weak. Opt for active voice where appropriate to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been drained" functions primarily as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject has undergone the action of being emptied or depleted. Ludwig examples showcase its usage across various domains, confirming its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been drained" is a versatile verb phrase, commonly used to express a state of depletion or exhaustion, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions grammatically as a verb phrase in the passive voice, and sees frequent use in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, overuse in passive voice should be avoided for stronger writing. When using the phrase, clarity is key to communicate the subject's depletion effectively. As evidenced by Ludwig, its widespread use across various authoritative sources confirms its acceptance and utility in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been depleted

Focuses on the reduction of a resource or quantity.

have been exhausted

Implies a complete consumption or use of something, often energy or resources.

have been emptied

Indicates a state of being completely devoid of contents.

have been diminished

Suggests a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

have been weakened

Implies a loss of strength or power.

have been sapped

Emphasizes a gradual and insidious loss of energy or vitality.

have been cleared

Indicates the removal of obstacles or contents.

have been evacuated

Refers to the removal of people or things from a place.

have been relieved

Implies removal of pressure or burden.

have been stripped

Suggests the removal of something essential or valuable.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been drained" to describe a state where something has been emptied or depleted. For example: "After the negotiations, my energy "have been drained"."

What can I say instead of "have been drained"?

Alternatives include "have been depleted", "have been exhausted", or "have been emptied", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been drained" or "were drained"?

The correct choice depends on the context and the intended tense. "Have been drained" implies a present perfect passive construction, while "were drained" implies a simple past passive construction. For example: "The swamp areas "have been drained" for agriculture", vs "The swamp areas "were drained" last year".

What's the difference between "have been drained" and "had been drained"?

"Have been drained" indicates a past action with present relevance, whereas "had been drained" refers to an action completed before another point in the past. For example: "The pool "have been drained", so we can't swim now" versus "The pool "had been drained" before the storm arrived".