have been executed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been executed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an action has been carried out or completed in the past, often in a passive voice context. Example: "The plans for the project have been executed successfully, leading to positive results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

None have been executed.

The New York Times

27 students have been executed.

The New Yorker

(Four have been executed, some by beheading).

The New Yorker

"We realised he must have been executed.

The Guardian

"The people that have been executed are criminals.

The New York Times

Robespierre claims that only the guilty have been executed.

The New Yorker

Already several men languishing on death row have been executed.

The Economist

Some people have been executed for the crime.

The New York Times

Mr Hussein himself and two close allies have been executed.

The Economist

Since Widodo took office, 14 drug convicts have been executed.

The Guardian

To date, seven of those twenty-nine have been executed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been executed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the action, even if it's implied. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been executed" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. Overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound weak or evasive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been executed" functions as a passive perfect construction. It indicates that an action (execution) has been completed at some point in the past, with the focus on the result rather than the specific timing of the action. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been executed" serves as a passive perfect construction indicating a completed action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, scientific, and formal contexts. While versatile, writers should be mindful of choosing the active voice for more direct communication and avoiding overuse of the passive. Understanding its nuances and context-specific usage will improve clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been completed

Highlights the state of being finished, similar to "have been executed" but without the implication of a specific method or process.

have been carried out

Focuses on the action being performed or completed, similar to "have been executed" but more generic.

have been performed

Emphasizes the completion of a task or procedure, like "have been executed" but applicable to a broader range of actions.

have been implemented

Implies a plan or decision has been put into effect, similar to "have been executed" in the context of plans or strategies.

have been finalized

Focuses on the conclusive nature of an action, similar to "have been executed" when emphasizing the end result.

have been accomplished

Emphasizes the achievement of a goal, comparable to "have been executed" in scenarios where a specific outcome was intended.

have been realized

Indicates that something has come into being or become a reality, similar to "have been executed" when plans or ideas are brought to fruition.

have been discharged

Suggests a release or fulfillment of obligation, sharing a sense of completion with "have been executed" in certain contexts.

have been brought about

Focuses on the cause and effect relationship, similar to "have been executed" in situations where a specific result was achieved through deliberate action.

have been effectuated

A more formal and less common synonym of "have been executed", emphasizing the causing of something to happen.

FAQs

How to use "have been executed" in a sentence?

Use "have been executed" to describe an action that has been carried out or completed. For example, "The plans "have been executed" flawlessly", or "The prisoners "have been executed" according to the law".

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

You can use alternatives like "have been carried out", "have been implemented", or "have been performed" depending on the context.

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

Both "have been executed" and "were executed" are grammatically correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have been executed" implies the action happened at an unspecified time in the past, while "were executed" refers to a specific point in the past.

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

"Have been executed" indicates an action completed at some point before now, whereas "had been executed" refers to an action completed before a specific point in the past. For example, "The project "have been executed" successfully" versus "The project had been executed before the audit began".