have been floated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been floated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an idea or proposal has been suggested or introduced for consideration. Example: "Several options have been floated regarding the new policy changes, but no decision has been made yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Territorial compromises have been floated.

The Economist

Nonetheless some strange theories have been floated.

The Guardian - Music

What possible reasons have been floated to explain this decline?

Stanford University

Many internet overhauls have been floated to little avail.

The Economist

Many numbers have been floated, but nothing has been determined.

The New York Times

Plenty of theories, none proven, have been floated.

The New York Times - Health

Here's some of the suggestions that have been floated.

The Guardian

Already, several names of possible successors have been floated.

The New York Times

But similar proposals have been floated and stymied for years.

The New York Times - Magazine

Proposals have been floated for requirements of 10 percent or as much as 20 percent.

The New York Times

Theories have been floated that the hoarder was hiding them from creditors, tax authorities and heirs.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been floated" when you want to indicate that ideas or proposals are being informally suggested or considered, often without a firm commitment or detailed plan. It's useful for describing exploratory discussions or preliminary suggestions.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "have been floated". Overuse can make your writing sound vague and less direct. Consider rephrasing with an active voice to make the subject of the sentence clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "ideas "have been floated"", try "the team floated several ideas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been floated" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that ideas, proposals, or theories have been suggested or introduced for consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in contexts where the source or origin of the idea is less important than the idea itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been floated" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the introduction of ideas or proposals for consideration. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely accepted and applicable across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. While generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to avoid overusing passive voice and consider active alternatives for clearer, more impactful writing. Remember to leverage the best practices and avoid common errors to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been suggested

Replaces "floated" with a more direct synonym, indicating a proposal has been put forward.

have been proposed

Similar to "suggested", but often implies a more formal presentation of an idea.

have been put forward

Indicates an idea has been advanced for consideration, emphasizing the act of presenting it.

have been advanced

Highlights the promotion and progression of an idea or plan.

have been mooted

A more formal and less common synonym for "floated", suggesting an idea has been raised for discussion.

have been raised

Indicates that a topic or idea has been brought up for discussion.

have been posited

Implies a more academic or theoretical presentation of an idea or argument.

have been presented

Focuses on the act of formally introducing an idea or proposal to an audience.

have been brought up

A more informal way of saying an idea has been introduced into a conversation or discussion.

have been mentioned

Suggests that an idea has been briefly referred to, without necessarily being explored in detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been floated" to indicate that certain ideas, plans, or proposals have been suggested or introduced for consideration. For example, "Several solutions "have been floated" to address the budget deficit."

What are some alternatives to "have been floated"?

Alternatives include "have been suggested", "have been proposed", or "have been put forward". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality desired.

Is "have been floated" formal or informal?

"Have been floated" occupies a middle ground, suitable for both news reporting and some business contexts. For more formal academic or scientific writing, alternatives such as "have been posited" or "have been advanced" may be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "have been floated" and "have been implemented"?

"Have been floated" indicates that ideas are under consideration, whereas "have been implemented" means that ideas have been put into practice. Floating is preliminary, while implementation is the actual execution of a plan.