have been exceeded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been exceeded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain limit or threshold has been surpassed in the past and continues to be relevant in the present. Example: "The budget constraints have been exceeded, leading to a review of our spending policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The power was doubtful and soon was held to have been exceeded.

Cornell University

1634, 91 L.Ed. 2077 19477), and those limitations have been exceeded in this case.

Cornell University

A Democratic finance official said: "All the goals have been exceeded, but they're still pounding the pavement for more.

The New York Times

He said it was "quite possible [environmental licence] limits with respect to dust and particulate matter have been exceeded".

The Guardian

Then the threshold of 50% participation in the vote will have been exceeded, and the strike can go ahead.

Independent

The IFS points out that Treasury plans for civil-service numbers have been exceeded for five years running.

The Economist

But the grip isn't infinite and the Viper's rear end will break free suddenly when its limits have been exceeded.

The New York Times

We are here impelled to the conclusion, from all of the facts presented, that the bounds of due process have been exceeded.

Cornell University

None of his contemporaries got anywhere near either total, and the runs have been exceeded by only four men in the game's history, the wickets by only five.

The Guardian - Books

24 with the condition that the owners sell 48 radio stations in markets where limits on the number that can be controlled by one company have been exceeded.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But it's definitely time to send a special thanks when the expectations of a relationship have been exceeded--when someone shows extra kindness, goes out of their way for you or helps you to do something you couldn't have done without them.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been exceeded", ensure that the context clearly defines what limit or threshold was surpassed. For instance, specify "budget limits have been exceeded" rather than just "limits have been exceeded".

Common error

Avoid using "has been exceeded" when referring to plural nouns. The correct form is "have been exceeded". For example, use "expectations have been exceeded", not "expectations has been exceeded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been exceeded" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a limit, threshold, or expectation has been surpassed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been exceeded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating that a limit or threshold has been surpassed. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread application. It is used across various domains, including news, science, and academia, with a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity and context are key to specifying what exactly has been exceeded. For more nuanced expressions, alternatives like "have been surpassed" or "have gone beyond" can be considered. Be careful about subject-verb agreement and clearly defining exceeded boundaries in your context. The phrase is highly versatile and appropriate for a wide range of written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been surpassed

Replaces 'exceeded' with 'surpassed', maintaining a similar meaning of going beyond a limit.

have been overshot

Uses 'overshot' to indicate that a target or limit has been exceeded, often implying a degree of unintended excess.

have been overstepped

Suggests that a boundary or limit has been crossed, often with negative connotations.

have gone beyond

A more general phrase indicating that something has moved past a certain limit or point.

have outstripped

Implies that something has exceeded expectations or previous levels, often in a competitive context.

have transcended

Suggests exceeding a limit in a more metaphorical or qualitative sense, rising above a constraint.

have topped

A more informal way of saying that a previous record or limit has been exceeded.

have bested

Uses 'bested' implying an exceeding of a quantity in a competitive context.

have dwarfed

Suggests that something has exceeded something else to a degree where the latter is made to seem small or insignificant.

have overridden

Exceeding the maximum level or expectation to make something less important.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been exceeded" to indicate that a certain limit or threshold has been surpassed. For example, "The project's initial budget limits "have been exceeded", requiring additional funding."

What are some alternatives to "have been exceeded"?

Some alternatives to "have been exceeded" include "have been surpassed", "have been overshot", or "have gone beyond", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been exceeded" instead of "have been exceeded"?

The correctness depends on the subject. Use "has been exceeded" with singular subjects (e.g., "The limit has been exceeded"). Use "have been exceeded" with plural subjects (e.g., "The limits "have been exceeded"").

What is the difference between "have been exceeded" and "have been surpassed"?

"Have been exceeded" and "have been surpassed" are very similar. "Exceeded" implies going beyond a specific limit, while "surpassed" suggests going beyond a standard or expectation. In many contexts, they are interchangeable, but "surpassed" may carry a slightly more positive connotation.