have been hidden

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been hidden" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was previously concealed or out of sight. For example: "The ancient artifacts have been hidden away in a secret chamber for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They could have been hidden.

The Guardian

We have been hidden for too long.

The Guardian

External link icons have been hidden from footer logos.

Columbia University

All the breakable items in the house have been hidden.

The New York Times

His passions have been hidden from the public eye.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The money is alleged to have been hidden in her underwear.

Independent

The school I was looking for must have been hidden behind a ridge.

The New Yorker

Some have been hidden in the cracks or depressions in the wall itself.

The New York Times

If Google had agreed to deindex the stories, they would have been hidden from Google searchers.

The Washington Post

Disabled children come out of where they have been hidden by relatives.

The Guardian

It's just that the [other arrests] have been hidden and [they were] probably on worse charges".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the specific nuance you want to convey when choosing between "have been hidden" and its alternatives, such as "have been concealed" or "have been obscured". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize intentionality, difficulty in discovery or something else.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "have been hidden" without a clear understanding of passive voice. Ensure the sentence structure makes it clear what subject is performing the action of hiding, even if it's implied. Avoid vague statements like "Mistakes have been hidden" without indicating by whom or how.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been hidden" functions as a passive perfect construction. It describes a state resulting from a past action of concealing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Opinion

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been hidden" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase for describing something that was previously concealed. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for application across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the subject, object, and intention behind the act of hiding. Consider alternatives like "have been concealed" or "have been obscured" to precisely convey the intended nuance. Remember that mastering its use, particularly regarding passive voice, contributes to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been concealed

Emphasizes deliberate efforts to keep something secret or out of sight.

have been kept secret

Focuses on the act of maintaining secrecy, highlighting the intention to prevent disclosure.

have been covered up

Emphasizes the act of concealing wrongdoing or mistakes to avoid consequences.

have been obscured

Suggests that something has become difficult to see or understand, not necessarily by intentional hiding.

have been masked

Implies that something has been covered up or disguised to prevent recognition.

have been suppressed

Suggests that something has been forcibly prevented from being known or expressed.

have been shrouded

Indicates that something is enveloped or concealed, often with an element of mystery.

have been buried

Implies that something has been hidden deeply or thoroughly, making it difficult to recover.

have been tucked away

Suggests that something has been placed in a safe or inconspicuous location.

have been stashed

Implies a quick and often temporary act of hiding something.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been hidden" to describe something that was previously concealed or out of sight. For example, "The truth about the incident "has been hidden" from the public for years."

What are some alternatives to saying "have been hidden"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been concealed", "have been obscured", or "have been masked".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing something that was hidden?

It depends on the context. If you want to emphasize the object being hidden, use the passive voice with "have been hidden". If you want to emphasize the person or thing doing the hiding, use the active voice (e.g., "They hid the evidence").

What is the difference between "have been hidden" and "were hidden"?

"Have been hidden" implies an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present, whereas "were hidden" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "The artifacts have been hidden for centuries and remain undiscovered" versus "The artifacts "were hidden" during the war".