have been hung

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been hung" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to something that has been suspended or displayed, typically in relation to art or objects. Example: "The paintings have been hung in the gallery for the exhibition opening next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Huge banners bearing Mrs. Rajavi's portrait have been hung.

The New York Times

"I have been hung out to dry," says Hunt.

The Guardian

"If we had done that everybody would have been hung out to dry," he said.

The New York Times - Science

"But if it had been about political dissidence, it would never have been hung".

The New York Times

In the provincial capital, Baquba, two corpses have been hung from a lamppost, one upside-down.

The Guardian

"The first half was very disappointing as we may have been hung over from last week.

The Guardian - Sport

"I have been hung out to dry," he told the Observer in an exclusive interview.

The Guardian

"It would have been hung the same height again, then tilted downwards".

The Guardian - Money

"I'm making this statement because I have been hung out to dry, my life is in suspended animation.

Independent

Ugly concrete military checkpoints have been removed from many streets, and a dozen, mostly decorative, stop lights have been hung.

The New York Times

"Man," Mr. Burch reflects later, "30 or 40 years ago I would have been hung for just touching this lady".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the placement of decorations or artwork, use "have been hung" to clearly convey that the items were suspended from a higher point. For example, "Christmas lights "have been hung" along the streets" is more descriptive than "Christmas lights were placed along the streets."

Common error

Avoid using "hung" when referring to the execution of a person. The correct past participle in that context is "hanged". For example, use "He would "have been hanged" for treason", not "He would "have been hung" for treason".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been hung" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action of hanging something has been completed by an unspecified actor. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase is used to describe the state of objects or decorations that are now suspended or displayed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been hung" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive perfect construction, as verified by Ludwig AI. It describes a completed action of suspending or displaying an object. It's important to remember to distinguish it from "have been hanged", which is exclusively used in the context of executions. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread application across various contexts, including news, literature, and general descriptive writing. Alternatives like "have been suspended" or "have been displayed" can provide nuanced variations in meaning depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been suspended

Replaces "hung" with a synonym emphasizing the act of suspending something.

have been displayed

Focuses on the act of showing or exhibiting something rather than the physical hanging.

have been affixed

Implies a more secure or permanent attachment compared to simply hanging.

have been mounted

Suggests a specific method of display, often used for artwork or objects on a wall.

have been put up

A more general term for placing something in a high or visible position.

have been fastened

Highlights the action of securing something in place.

have been attached

Similar to 'affixed', but can apply to a broader range of attachments.

have been exhibited

Formal synonym for 'displayed', often used in museum or gallery contexts.

have been showcased

Emphasizes the presentation of something in an attractive or favorable way.

have been arranged

Focuses on the act of organizing and positioning items, which may include hanging.

FAQs

What does "have been hung" mean?

The phrase "have been hung" means that something has been suspended or attached from above, often referring to decorations, pictures, or other items displayed in a particular location. It indicates a completed action of hanging something.

When should I use "have been hung" instead of "have been hanged"?

Use "have been hung" when referring to objects being suspended. Use "have been hanged" only when referring to a person being executed by hanging.

What are some synonyms for "have been hung"?

Alternatives to "have been hung" include phrases like "have been suspended", "have been displayed", or "have been mounted", depending on the specific context.

How do I use "have been hung" in a sentence?

You can use "have been hung" in a sentence like this: "The new paintings "have been hung" in the gallery", indicating that the paintings are now displayed by being suspended on the wall.