have been elected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been elected' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone has been chosen or appointed for a certain role or position. For example, "John and Jane have been elected as the new student council representatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Health Policy and Planning

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many Mitanins have stood for elections and have been elected to the village councils.

Health Policy and Planning

"So many Republicans have been elected.

The New York Times

Five women have been elected state governors.

The New York Times

Transgender people have been elected before.

The Washington Post

"Without it, he wouldn't have been elected".

The New York Times

Since then, only 5,540 members have been elected.

Harvard University

"People have been elected to do a job now.

The New York Times

In eight other provinces councils have been elected.

The Economist

If voters did, Mr. Reagan might never have been elected.

The New York Times

About 50 Haitian Americans have been elected to public office.

The Washington Post

I am delighted to have been elected tonight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about election results, use "have been elected" to clearly indicate that individuals have successfully won a position through a voting process. This avoids ambiguity and specifies the method of selection.

Common error

Avoid using "have been selected" or "have been appointed" interchangeably with "have been elected" unless the context truly involves a selection or appointment process rather than a formal election. Using the wrong term can misrepresent how someone came into their position.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been elected" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that individuals or entities have been chosen for a particular position or role through an election process. This is supported by Ludwig, where examples show its use in contexts ranging from political elections to academic appointments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

30%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Health Policy and Planning

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been elected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction for indicating the successful outcome of an election. As shown by Ludwig, it is common in news, academic, and formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English. When using this phrase, it's important to differentiate it from similar terms like "have been selected" or "have been appointed" to accurately reflect the selection process. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "have been elected" to convey election results clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been voted in

Highlights the voting aspect, emphasizing popular support.

have prevailed in the election

Emphasizes the success and triumph in the election process.

have been appointed

Suggests a formal assignment to a role, often by an authority rather than through voting.

have been designated

Implies a specific designation or naming to a role, often with a particular purpose.

were selected

Indicates a selection process, which might not necessarily involve a formal election.

were chosen

Emphasizes the act of choosing someone, differing from the formal nature of an election.

have secured victory

Focuses on the success of winning an election or competition.

have taken office

Focuses on the action of entering a position, implying a formal start.

have gained office

Emphasizes the attainment of a position or office, which could be through various means.

have assumed power

Highlights the acquisition of power, which can result from an election but isn't specific to it.

FAQs

What does "have been elected" mean?

The phrase "have been elected" means that someone has won a position or role through a formal voting process. It signifies that they were chosen by voters or members of a group.

What are some alternatives to saying "have been elected"?

You can use alternatives like "were chosen", "have been appointed", or "have been voted in" depending on the context.

How is "have been elected" different from "have been selected"?

"Have been elected" implies a formal election with voters, while "have been selected" suggests a choice made by a smaller group or individual, not necessarily through voting.

Is it correct to say "was elected" instead of "have been elected"?

Yes, "was elected" can be correct. "Have been elected" is present perfect, useful when the timing is relevant to the present. "Was elected" is simple past, used when the election occurred at a specific time in the past that may or may not be relevant to the present.