have been framed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been framed" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in order to imply that someone has been falsely accused of a crime they didn't commit, or to suggest that someone has been tricked into a situation they didn't expect or intend. For example: "Smith was wrongfully accused of tax evasion, it appears he's been framed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been framed.

Independent

I have been framed and turned into a scapegoat".

The New York Times

Some of the handkerchiefs have been framed and hung.

The New York Times

But subsequent allegations suggest they may have been framed.

The Guardian

Some useful theorems have been framed to characterize the optimal solutions.

Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics

Debates thus far have been framed very generally with few, if any, detailed case studies.

Cognition

Though Susie's no bleeding heart, she's certain Dorinda must have been framed.

The New York Times - Books

The images never draw particular attention to the way they have been framed or coloured.

The Economist

Most of the checks Dr. Erdos wrote for solved problems have been framed, not cashed.

The New York Times - Science

Many of the most significant campaigns about poverty overseas have been framed to tackle western policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Lugovoi has claimed to have been framed by MI6, the British intelligence service.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been framed", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is an innocent victim of a deliberate plot or deception. Avoid using it in situations where negligence or unintentional mistakes are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "have been framed" if the active agent is unknown or irrelevant. If the actor is known and important, rephrase the sentence in the active voice to emphasize who is responsible for the framing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been framed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action, rather than the initiator. This construction emphasizes that someone has been falsely accused or made to appear guilty, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been framed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that someone has been falsely accused or set up. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Academia. While alternatives like "have been set up" or "have been falsely accused" offer nuanced variations, "have been framed" provides a direct and easily understood way to express the idea of being wrongly implicated in something. Remember to use it in contexts where deliberate deception is evident and to avoid misusing the passive voice when the active agent is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been set up

This alternative emphasizes the intentionality of the deception, suggesting a deliberate plot to incriminate someone.

have been railroaded

This suggests being forced into a situation unfairly, often through legal or procedural means.

have been falsely accused

This phrase directly states the innocence of the person being charged.

have been scapegoated

This suggests that someone is being unfairly blamed for a larger problem.

have been conspired against

This alternative emphasizes the existence of a secret plan or agreement against the individual.

have been wrongly implicated

This implies involvement in something, but without justification or proof.

have been made a patsy

This informal term indicates that someone has been easily tricked or manipulated into taking the blame.

are the victim of a smear campaign

This suggests a deliberate and malicious attempt to damage someone's reputation.

have been double-crossed

This implies betrayal by someone trusted.

have been deceived

This alternative focuses on the act of being misled, rather than specifically being accused of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been framed" to indicate that someone has been falsely accused of something. For example, "The defendant claimed he "had been framed" by a rival company."

What's the difference between "have been framed" and "have been set up"?

"Have been framed" and "have been set up" are similar, but "have been set up" often implies a more elaborate and intentional scheme, whereas "have been framed" can refer to a simpler situation of false accusation.

What are some alternatives to "have been framed"?

Alternatives to "have been framed" include "have been falsely accused", "have been set up", or "have been scapegoated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been framed" for singular subjects (e.g., "He has been framed") and "have been framed" for plural subjects (e.g., "They have been framed").