have been given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been given" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "give" and indicates that an action was completed in the past and has continued up until the present moment. It can be used in various contexts and is often used to describe a past event, experience, or action that has a current impact or relevance. For example: - "I have been given the opportunity to attend a prestigious university." - "They have been given a second chance to prove themselves." - "The instructions have been given to all employees." - "We have been given a new project to work on." In each of these examples, the action of being given something occurred in the past, but the effect or result of that action is still relevant in the present.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or could have been given.

Independent

They have been given nothing, absolutely nothing.

The New York Times

Clear prior warning should have been given.

The New York Times

Both projects have been given event status.

Independent

Even old palazzos have been given makeovers.

The New York Times - Travel

They have been given nearly infinite resources.

The New Yorker

It should have been given.

The Guardian - Sport

Several reasons have been given.

The New York Times

No instructions appear to have been given.

Harvard University

Analytical solutions have been given wherever possible.

Chemical Engineering Science

Mader should have been given a medal.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been given" to indicate a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present. Ensure the context clearly identifies who or what is doing the giving.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice with "have been given". In many cases, active voice provides a clearer and more direct sentence. For example, instead of "The award has been given to her", consider "They gave her the award".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been given" functions as a passive construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that the subject of the sentence has received something from an unspecified or already known agent. According to Ludwig AI, the construction is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been given" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used in the present perfect tense to indicate the receipt of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various contexts, from formal academic and scientific writing to more informal news and media. When using the phrase, it's important to consider whether the passive voice is the most effective way to convey your message, or whether an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. Common alternatives include "have received" and "have been granted". The phrase's versatility and frequency make it a valuable tool in English writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have received

Focuses on the act of receiving something.

have been granted

Emphasizes the permission or authorization aspect.

have been awarded

Highlights a formal recognition or bestowal.

have obtained

Suggests effort or process in acquiring something.

have been presented with

Indicates a more formal or ceremonial offering.

have been entrusted with

Highlights the responsibility accompanying the receipt.

have been furnished with

Implies a provision or supply of something.

have been supplied with

Similar to 'furnished with' but can be more general.

have come into possession of

Focuses on the act of acquiring ownership or control.

have been the recipients of

A more formal way to express having received something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been given" is used to indicate that something has been received or granted. For example, "I "have been given" a second chance", or "They "have been given" permission to proceed".

What are some alternatives to "have been given"?

You can use alternatives such as "have received", "have been granted", or "have obtained" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been given"?

While "have been given" is grammatically correct, using the active voice can often make your writing more direct. For example, instead of "The instructions "have been given" to all employees", you could write "We gave the instructions to all employees".

What does "have been given" imply about the timing of the action?

The phrase "have been given" is in the present perfect tense, indicating that the action of giving occurred at some point in the past and has a continuing relevance or impact in the present.