have been guided

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been guided" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has received direction or advice over a period of time. Example: "Throughout my career, I have been guided by the principles of integrity and hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been guided walks, exhibitions, concerts, readings and lectures.

The Guardian - Travel

"We have been guided by three principles: participation, quality and sustainability.

The Guardian

The singer seems to have been guided by his subconscious in creating "Astral Weeks".

The New Yorker

I have just been fortunate and have been guided by the best in the field".

The Guardian

Early adopters' choices have been guided by focusing on getting customer experience right.

Harvard Business Review

"They may have been guided wrongly by someone," Mr. Thakran said.

The New York Times

Ordinarily, a student with Mr. Kelly's aptitude would have been guided down a more academic track.

The New York Times

Past reforms have been guided by the idea that everybody should have a fair share.

The Economist

Legendary investors like Warren Buffett and Mario Gabelli have been guided by the value investing principles during their entire careers.

Columbia University

Most of the bombs dropped over Afghanistan have been guided to their targets by satellites or laser beams.

The New York Times

Psychologists believe they may have been guided by a strong moral compass and past experiences with conformity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been guided" when you want to emphasize that someone or something has received ongoing direction or influence over time.

Common error

While "have been guided" is grammatically correct, overusing passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice where appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been guided" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that the subject has received direction or influence over a period of time. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been guided" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that someone or something has received direction or influence. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in diverse contexts, from academic writing and news reports to scientific publications. While it is generally acceptable, be mindful of overusing the passive voice. Alternative phrases such as "have been directed" or "have been influenced" may provide more direct or nuanced options in certain situations. The phrase is very common overall and is used neutrally to formally. It indicates that the subject of the phrase has been under some external influence throughout a period of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been directed

Focuses more on explicit instructions or orders.

have been advised

Implies that advice was given and followed.

have been influenced

Emphasizes the impact or effect someone or something had.

have been led

Suggests a more proactive role in showing the way.

have been shown the way

Emphasizes the act of demonstrating the correct path.

have been mentored

Highlights the role of a mentor or advisor.

have been counselled

Indicates formal or professional guidance.

have been instructed

Implies formal teaching or training.

have been supervised

Highlights oversight and control.

have been enlightened

Suggests gaining new knowledge or understanding.

FAQs

How to use "have been guided" in a sentence?

The phrase "have been guided" indicates that someone or something has received direction or influence. For example, "The company's decisions "have been guided" by market research."

What can I say instead of "have been guided"?

You can use alternatives like "have been directed", "have been influenced", or "have been mentored" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been guided" or "was guided"?

"Have been guided" implies a continuous or ongoing influence, while "was guided" refers to a one-time event. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

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

"Have been guided" is in the passive voice, indicating that the subject received guidance. "Have guided" is active voice, indicating that the subject provided guidance.