have been handled

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been handled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a present perfect passive verb form which is used to express the idea that an action has been completed in the past but has present results or implications. For example: "The customer complaints have been handled quickly and efficiently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Could it have been handled better?

The New York Times

It could have been handled differently".

The New York Times

Should it have been handled differently?

The Guardian - Sport

He continued, "It should have been handled quickly.

The New Yorker

Traditionally, those tasks would have been handled by several companies.

The New York Times

Were there points that could have been handled differently?

The New Yorker

"It could have been handled much more tactically," he said.

The New York Times

His healthcare reform could have been handled a lot better.

The Guardian

Cole in Yemen have been handled out of New York.

The New York Times

That's the way it should have been handled".

The New York Times - Sports

Another member said: "It could have been handled quietly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been handled" in situations where you want to emphasize that a task or issue has been completed or addressed, often implying a process or system was involved. For example, "All customer inquiries have been handled promptly."

Common error

While "have been handled" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing vague. Ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the handling, or if the actor is unimportant, consider if active voice would be more impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been handled" functions as a present perfect passive construction. It indicates that an action (handling) has been completed at some point in the past, with implications for the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been handled" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something has been dealt with or managed, often implying a process or system. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It's particularly common in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, reflecting its usefulness in reporting on events and processes. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, writers should be mindful of potential ambiguity arising from the passive voice. Alternatives like "have been managed" or "have been dealt with" may offer greater clarity in certain contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been managed

Focuses more on the administrative aspect of dealing with something.

have been dealt with

Emphasizes the act of addressing or resolving a matter.

have been addressed

Highlights the act of giving attention to something.

have been processed

Focuses on a systematic series of actions performed on something.

have been treated

Implies a specific method or approach was used in dealing with something.

have been controlled

Suggests a focus on keeping something within certain limits.

have been resolved

Indicates a solution or settlement has been reached.

have been sorted out

Implies a state of confusion that has been clarified.

have been taken care of

Emphasizes the responsibility and attention given to something.

have been attended to

Suggests that something has received the necessary attention and care.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been handled" to indicate that something has been dealt with or managed. For example, "All complaints "have been handled" according to company policy."

What are some alternatives to "have been handled"?

Alternatives include "have been managed", "have been dealt with", or "have been addressed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "have been handled" or "has been handled"?

"Have been handled" is correct when referring to plural subjects. For a singular subject, use "has been handled". For example, "The issue has been handled", but "The issues "have been handled"."

What does "have been handled sensitively" mean?

It means that a situation or issue has been dealt with carefully and thoughtfully, with consideration for the feelings and needs of those involved. For example, "The sensitive matter "have been handled" sensitively to avoid further distress."