have been evacuated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been evacuated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where people or things have been removed from a place for safety reasons, often in the context of emergencies or disasters. Example: "Due to the approaching hurricane, all residents have been evacuated from the coastal areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gemampir should have been evacuated days ago.

The New York Times

More than 500 people have been evacuated.

The New York Times

Homes in the surrounding area have been evacuated.

Independent

It appeared that some theaters might have been evacuated.

The New York Times

The village must have been evacuated in the meantime.

The New Yorker

Five families have been evacuated from nearby houses.

Independent

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.

The Economist

Dozens of city housing buildings have been evacuated.

The Guardian

Barracks than run along the perimeter have been evacuated.

The New York Times

One home has been destroyed; 19 have been evacuated.

The New York Times

Hotels and dozens of surrounding villages have been evacuated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been evacuated", clearly state the reason for the evacuation to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, "The residents have been evacuated due to the approaching wildfire."

Common error

Avoid using "have been evacuated" when the subject actively chose to leave. Use a more active phrasing like "residents evacuated themselves" or "residents chose to evacuate" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been evacuated" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a subject has undergone the action of being evacuated. It implies that people or things were removed from a place due to a threat or danger. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been evacuated" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to report that individuals or groups have been moved from a dangerous location to a safer one. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, as per Ludwig's analysis, it serves the purpose of conveying information about evacuations due to emergencies, disasters, or security threats. While highly frequent in news contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for formal communication. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and suggests alternatives like "were relocated" or "were moved to safety" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were moved to safety

Highlights the purpose of the relocation: ensuring safety from a potential threat.

were brought to safety

Similar to "were moved to safety", but emphasizes the act of bringing them to a safe place.

were rescued

Emphasizes the aspect of being saved from a perilous situation.

were relocated

Emphasizes a change in location, typically implying a more organized or planned movement.

were taken to shelters

Specifies the destination of those who have been moved, highlighting the provision of temporary housing.

were displaced

Focuses on the forced movement from their homes, often due to disaster or conflict.

were removed from the area

A more general phrase indicating a removal from a specific location, without necessarily implying danger.

were cleared from the site

Indicates that the area has been emptied of people, often in a more official or procedural context.

were ushered out

Suggests a guided or assisted removal from the area, often in a calm or controlled manner.

were transported away

Focuses on the physical act of moving people from the location, without elaborating on the reason.

FAQs

How is "have been evacuated" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have been evacuated" is used to describe a situation where people or animals have been moved from a dangerous place to a safer one. For example: "The civilians "have been evacuated" from the war zone."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "have been evacuated"?

Alternatives include "were relocated", "were moved to safety", or "were displaced". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "had been evacuated" instead of "have been evacuated"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "had been evacuated" refers to an action completed in the past before another past action, while "have been evacuated" refers to an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. The choice depends on the specific timeline you are describing.

What is the difference between "evacuated" and "have been evacuated"?

"Evacuated" is the simple past tense, while "have been evacuated" is the present perfect passive. "Evacuated" describes a completed action in the past, whereas "have been evacuated" suggests the effects of the evacuation are still relevant now. For example, "The building was evacuated after the bomb threat" versus "The building "have been evacuated" and remains closed to the public".