have been forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been forgotten' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was forgotten in the past, and that it is still forgotten in the present. For example: "The memories of our time together have been forgotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His dye formulas have been forgotten.

The New York Times - Arts

The lesson may have been forgotten.

The New Yorker

I wonder if we have been forgotten?

The Guardian - Opinion

He should have been forgotten by history.

The New York Times - Books

We in the middle have been forgotten".

The Guardian

Now it seems promises have been forgotten.

The New York Times

Extraordinarily, this seems to have been forgotten.

The Guardian

All these lessons have been forgotten.

The Guardian - Business

How could she have been forgotten?

The Guardian - Film

The words "in solidarity" have been forgotten.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sixty years later, some lessons seem to have been forgotten.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been forgotten" to emphasize that something not only was forgotten in the past but remains so in the present. This is particularly useful when discussing historical events, lost knowledge, or neglected responsibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "have been forgotten" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of saying "The committee's recommendations have been forgotten by the board", a stronger statement might be "The board forgot the committee's recommendations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been forgotten" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action (forgetting) was completed at some point in the past and its effect persists to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase follows standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been forgotten" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive perfect construction that indicates something was forgotten in the past and remains so in the present. As noted by Ludwig, its usage is widespread in various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic and scientific writing. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider alternative phrasings like "faded from memory" or "slipped into obscurity" for nuanced expression. Avoiding overuse in favor of more direct active voice constructions can also improve writing clarity and impact. The high prevalence of the phrase in authoritative sources underscores its acceptability and reliability in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are no longer remembered

A straightforward way of stating that something is not recalled.

are left unremembered

Focuses on the lack of active remembering or memorializing.

have faded from memory

Emphasizes the gradual disappearance of something from one's recollection.

have become a distant memory

Highlights the emotional distance and fading clarity of a past event.

are lost to history

Suggests a complete disappearance from historical records and awareness.

have passed into oblivion

Similar to 'consigned to oblivion' but focuses on the natural process of fading away.

are consigned to oblivion

Highlights the act of deliberately relegating something to a state of being forgotten.

have slipped into obscurity

Indicates a gradual decline into a state of being unknown or unnoticed.

are relegated to the past

Stresses the act of assigning something to a previous, often disregarded, time.

are buried in the sands of time

Uses a metaphorical image to convey the idea of something being deeply and irretrievably forgotten.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been forgotten" to indicate that something was forgotten in the past and remains forgotten now. For instance, "Many of the ancient traditions "have been forgotten" over time".

What are some alternatives to "have been forgotten"?

Alternatives include "faded from memory", "slipped into obscurity", or "are no longer remembered". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

No, "has been forgotten" is used with singular subjects, while "have been forgotten" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The key detail has been forgotten", but "Those key details "have been forgotten"".

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

"Forgotten" can act as an adjective (e.g., "a forgotten memory"), while "have been forgotten" is a verb phrase indicating a completed action in the past with continuing relevance. For instance, "The incident is forgotten" versus "The incident "has been forgotten" by everyone".