have been expended

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been expended" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that resources, such as time or money, have been used up or consumed over a period of time. Example: "The funds allocated for the project have been expended, and we need to seek additional financing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over more than a decade, American blood and treasure have been expended, to little avail.

The New York Times

Human lives have been expended, and very little has been accomplished.

The New York Times

Considerable research efforts have been expended in modeling and optimizing LCCSs.

European Journal of Operational Research

Thus, labors have been expended in understanding the basic biology and epidemiology of the organism.

Cryptosporidium From Molecules to Disease

Infinite pains have been expended in going to original documentary sources, with a corresponding presumption of accuracy.

Yale University

Rarely in a new work at the Royal Opera House can so much have been expended to so little effect.

The Guardian - Music

Promotion of the facility makes it seem as though vast sums of money have been expended on the premises.

The New York Times

While billions have been expended for walls, cameras and detention, we've seen little investment in our ports.

The New York Times

Great efforts and expense have been expended in attempts to detect genetic polymorphisms contributing to susceptibility to complex human disease.

The Lancet

This elegant form of words, on whose interpretation millions of words have been expended, has no precise equivalent in Europe.

The Economist

A great deal of the work in, and collaboration between various specialised fields have been expended on the subject.

Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been expended" when you want to emphasize that resources, efforts, or energy have been significantly used up or consumed, often implying a considerable investment.

Common error

Avoid using "have been expended" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "have been used" or "have been spent" are more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been expended" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that resources or efforts have been completely used or consumed. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies a completed action with a focus on the resources that are no longer available.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

55%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been expended" is a versatile phrase used to describe the complete consumption or significant use of resources, whether they are monetary, temporal, or energetic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and finds frequent application across diverse domains, including News & Media and scientific writing. While it's essential to recognize its formal tone and avoid overuse in simple contexts, understanding when and how to utilize "have been expended" can enhance clarity and precision in writing. When a less formal tone is appropriate, consider "have been used" or "have been spent" as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been used

Focuses on the simple action of using something, lacking the implication of depletion or significant effort.

have been utilized

Emphasizes a more formal and efficient use of resources.

have been consumed

Highlights the complete use and depletion of resources.

have been devoted

Stresses the dedication of resources to a specific purpose.

have been applied

Indicates the direction of resources towards a particular application.

have been allocated

Highlights the prior decision to assign resources for a specific purpose.

have been invested

Implies an expectation of future returns or benefits from the use of resources.

have been spent

Focuses specifically on the monetary aspect of resource utilization.

have been exhausted

Highlights the complete depletion of resources, often implying a negative outcome.

have been employed

Emphasizes the active engagement of resources in a process or activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been expended" to describe the use of resources like time, money, or effort. For example: "Considerable resources "have been devoted" to this project."

What are some alternatives to "have been expended"?

Some alternatives include "have been used", "have been spent", or "have been utilized", depending on the specific context.

Is "have been expended" formal or informal?

"Have been expended" is generally considered a more formal phrase. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "have been used" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "have been spent" and "have been expended"?

"Have been spent" typically refers to monetary resources, while "have been expended" can refer to a broader range of resources including time, effort, and energy, in addition to money.