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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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have been learned

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been learned" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that knowledge or skills have been acquired over a period of time, often in a passive construction. Example: "Many important lessons have been learned from past experiences that can guide our future decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What will have been learned?

News & Media

Independent

Some lessons have been learned.

News & Media

The Economist

It implies that lessons have been learned.

News & Media

The Economist

"Lessons have been learned," pledges Mr Balogh.

News & Media

The Economist

Lessons appear to have been learned.

News & Media

Independent

What lessons have been learned?

News & Media

The New York Times

Defence sources insist lessons have been learned.

News & Media

The Guardian

Lessons have been learned, they say.

News & Media

The New York Times

Lessons have been learned, as they say.

Lessons will hopefully have been learned.

Earle insists that lessons have been learned.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been learned", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what has done the learning. Providing specific examples of what was learned strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "have been learned" in contexts where the actor is unclear. Overuse of passive voice can make writing vague and less engaging. Instead, consider rephrasing to emphasize who learned what, making the sentence more direct and informative.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been learned" functions as a passive construction indicating that some form of knowledge, skill, or lesson has been acquired. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been learned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate that knowledge, skills, or lessons have been acquired. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English, particulary in passive constructions.

It appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts and serves to convey that past events have resulted in new understanding. While versatile, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying who or what has done the learning and to avoid overuse of passive voice. Related phrases such as "lessons were acquired" or "insights gained" can provide alternative ways to express the same idea.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been learned" indicates that lessons or information have been acquired. For example, "Many lessons "have been learned" from this project", showing the project yielded new insights.

What's a more active way to say "have been learned"?

Instead of the passive "have been learned", you could use active phrases like "we acquired", "they discovered", or "I understood". These options make the sentence more direct and emphasize who did the learning.

What can I say instead of "lessons have been learned"?

Alternatives include "insights were gained", "knowledge was acquired", or "understanding developed". Each offers a slightly different nuance while conveying the acquisition of new information. Take a look at "insights gained".

Is it better to use "have been learned" or "were learned"?

Both "have been learned" and "were learned" are grammatically correct, but "have been learned" is present perfect and emphasizes the ongoing relevance of the lessons. "Were learned" is simple past and focuses on the act of learning in the past.

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: