have been freed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been freed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been released or liberated from a state of captivity or restriction. Example: "After years of captivity, the hostages have been freed and are now safe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Political prisoners have been freed.

The New York Times

Some have been freed.

The Guardian

(Both have been freed).

The New York Times

Two women have been freed on bail.

The New York Times

Two of the three have been freed.

The New York Times

"They have been freed without conditions.

The Guardian

Trade in services might have been freed a bit.

The Economist

Students have been freed "from any sense of moral responsibility".

The Economist

Those who have been freed speak of horrific conditions.

The Economist

Political prisoners have been freed by the hundreds.

The Economist

"These 18 men shouldn't have been freed," she said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been freed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the act of freeing, especially if it's not immediately obvious. For instance, "The political prisoners have been freed by the new government" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been freed" in contexts where the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The hostages have been freed", consider "Rescuers freed the hostages" to emphasize the action and agency of the rescuers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been freed" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action of freeing or releasing has been completed, and the result is relevant in the present. Ludwig AI indicates this construction is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been freed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and versatile for conveying that a state of liberation or release has been achieved. Predominantly found in news and media, it often highlights positive outcomes, such as the freeing of political prisoners or the removal of limitations. While its register is generally neutral, its impact can be amplified by ensuring clarity in the context and considering more direct active voice constructions when appropriate. Alternatives such as "have been released" or "have been liberated" offer nuanced options for expressing similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been set free

A more emphatic and direct way of saying "have been freed".

have been released

Replaces "freed" with a synonym that emphasizes the act of letting go or making available.

are no longer captive

Directly states the end of a state of captivity.

are out of captivity

Focuses on the state of being outside of confinement.

have been liberated

Suggests a more active and forceful freeing, often from oppression or enemy control.

have been emancipated

Specifically refers to the freeing of someone from legal, social, or political restraints, like slavery.

have gained their freedom

Focuses on the attainment of freedom by the subject, rather than the action of freeing.

have been unbound

Suggests a release from physical or metaphorical constraints or ties.

are now at liberty

A more formal way of saying that someone is no longer confined or restricted.

have been discharged

Implies a release from a specific obligation or duty, such as military service or a hospital stay.

FAQs

What's a synonym for "have been freed"?

Alternatives to "have been freed" include phrases like "have been released", "have been liberated", or "have been set free", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been freed"?

Yes, "have been freed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It's used in the present perfect passive voice, indicating that someone or something was freed at some point in the past, and that action has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "have been freed" and "were freed"?

"Have been freed" (present perfect passive) implies the action of freeing has a connection to the present, whereas "were freed" (simple past passive) simply describes a past event. For example, "The hostages have been freed, and are now returning home" connects the freeing to their current return. "The hostages were freed last night" simply states a past event.

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

You can use "have been freed" in a sentence to indicate that someone or something has been released from captivity or restriction. For instance, "After a long legal battle, the wrongly accused have been freed from prison" or "Thanks to the new update, the app's features have been freed from previous limitations".