have been found

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been found' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when referring to something that has been recently discovered. For example: Several rare fossils have been found in the southern region of the state.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None have been found.

Independent

I have been found out.

The New York Times

No devices have been found.

The New York Times

All have been found guilty.

The New York Times

She wouldn't have been found.

The New York Times - Magazine

All three have been found wanting.

The New York Times

Today's rules have been found wanting.

The Economist

"And they never would have been found".

The New Yorker

No drugs have been found so far.

Independent

Nonpassenger civil applications also have been found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only decayed meteoritic fragments have been found.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been found" to indicate a passive discovery, where the focus is on what was discovered rather than who discovered it.

Common error

Avoid using "have been find" as it's grammatically incorrect. Remember that "find" is the base form, "found" is the past participle used with "have been".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been found" functions as a passive perfect construction. It signifies that something has been discovered or located, with the focus on the object of the discovery rather than the discoverer. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been found" serves as a passive perfect construction, denoting the discovery or localization of something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across diverse contexts, from news and scientific publications to encyclopedias and academic papers. The phrase's function is to report or announce a discovery, maintaining a neutral to formal register. As evidenced by the examples provided, "have been found" is a versatile and essential component of English vocabulary, with alternatives like "were discovered" or "have turned up" offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were discovered

Emphasizes the act of uncovering or revealing something previously unknown.

have been located

Focuses on the physical placement or position of something that was searched for.

have been uncovered

Similar to 'discovered', but may emphasize the removal of obstacles to reveal something.

have turned up

Suggests a more casual or unexpected finding of something.

were identified

Implies a process of recognizing or confirming the nature of something.

have been detected

Implies the use of instruments or methods to notice something that was not immediately obvious.

have emerged

Suggests something has come into view or become known over time.

have proven to be

Indicates that something has demonstrated a particular quality or characteristic.

were ascertained

Focuses on confirming the certainty or truth of something through investigation.

have materialized

Suggests something has become real or concrete after being abstract or uncertain.

FAQs

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

Use "have been found" to describe something that was discovered. For example, "New evidence "has been found" at the crime scene."

What are some alternatives to "have been found"?

You can use alternatives such as "were discovered", "have turned up", or "have been located" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been found" or "have been find"?

"Have been found" is the correct form. "Find" is the base verb, and "found" is the past participle required after "have been".

What's the difference between "have found" and "have been found"?

"Have found" implies an active discovery (e.g., 'Researchers have found a new cure'), while "have been found" indicates a passive discovery where the agent is not specified or is less important (e.g., 'A new cure "has been found"').