have been labeled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been labeled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has received a specific designation or classification in the past and continues to hold that status. Example: "The documents have been labeled as confidential, and access is restricted to authorized personnel only."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Braves have been labeled both.

The New York Times - Sports

These neurological freaks would once have been labeled psychotic.

The Washington Post

About half have been labeled as needing special education.

The New York Times

Ours should have been labeled the lobster from hell.

The New York Times

Over the course of history, both Republicans and Democrats have been labeled evil by the populous.

The New Yorker

-- all of these have been labeled by Saakashvili's government as enemies of the revolution.

The New York Times - Magazine

His 13-footer in the lane could have been labeled The Shot II.

The New York Times - Sports

The works (churches, palazzi, fountains) have been labeled and put into historical context.

The New York Times - Travel

There are probably not many filmmakers this skilled who have been labeled new directors.

The New York Times

There is a dark side to subprime lending, however: loans that have been labeled predatory.

The New York Times

They should also have been labeled in square miles, not miles.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been labeled", ensure the label accurately reflects the subject and context. Mislabeling can lead to misunderstanding or misrepresentation. For example, instead of saying 'the project has been labeled innovative', provide evidence or criteria that support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "have been labeled" without specifying who applied the label. Vague attribution weakens the statement's credibility. Instead of writing 'the approach has been labeled successful', specify 'the approach has been labeled successful by industry experts'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been labeled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject has received a specific designation or classification. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and usable. The function allows to focus on the label rather than on the labeller.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

31%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been labeled" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to indicate that something has received a specific designation or classification. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and academia. Its neutral to formal register makes it appropriate for both general and specialized audiences. When using "have been labeled", it's crucial to provide clear attribution and avoid overgeneralization to maintain credibility and clarity. The phrase is very common and has many alternatives such as "have been identified as", which you can use depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been identified as

Focuses on the act of recognition rather than the assignment of a label.

have been categorized as

Emphasizes the act of classification into a specific group or category.

have been classified as

Similar to categorized, but suggests a more formal or systematic approach to classification.

have been designated as

Highlights the act of officially assigning a specific role or status.

have been referred to as

Emphasizes the act of naming or calling something by a particular term.

have been termed as

Similar to referred to as, but suggests a more technical or specialized vocabulary.

have been known as

Focuses on the general awareness or recognition of something by a particular name.

have been branded as

Implies a deliberate effort to create a specific image or reputation.

have been tagged as

Suggests a brief, often informal way to describe or characterize something, often used with social media or internet content.

have been considered as

Conveys the idea that something has been thought of or regarded in a certain way.

FAQs

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

Use "have been labeled" to indicate that something or someone has been given a specific designation or classification. For example, "The documents "have been labeled confidential".".

What are some alternatives to "have been labeled"?

Alternatives include "have been identified as", "have been classified as", or "have been designated as", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been labeled" instead of "have been labeled"?

Yes, "has been labeled" is correct when referring to a singular subject. For example, "The file has been labeled important". "Have been labeled" is used for plural subjects or when used with "you", "we", or "they".

What is the difference between "have been labeled" and "have been marked"?

"Have been labeled" suggests a more descriptive or categorical assignment, while "have been marked" implies a physical or symbolic indication. For example, documents "have been marked confidential" with a stamp, while they "have been labeled confidential" in a database.