have been left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been abandoned or remains in a particular state over time. Example: "The documents have been left on the table for anyone to take."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The left have been left behind.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tens of thousands have been left homeless.

The Economist

So many questions have been left unanswered.

Independent

Fifteen babies have been left so far.

The New York Times

Peaceful opposition groups have been left out.

The Economist

Countless have been left injured.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thousands have been left homeless.

The New Yorker

Millions have been left homeless.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They have been left-behind.

Huffington Post

"Most have been left by smugglers".

The Guardian

To be sure, though, many others have been left behind.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been left", ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the leaving and what is being left behind to avoid ambiguity. Be specific about the agent and object involved.

Common error

Avoid using "have been left" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound vague or indirect. For example, instead of "Mistakes have been left uncorrected", try "They left the mistakes uncorrected".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been left" functions primarily as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has undergone an action performed by an unspecified or less important agent. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been left" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that describes a state resulting from a past action. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage and common occurrence. It's most prevalent in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When writing, ensure the agent and object are clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider whether an active voice might be more direct. Common alternatives include "were abandoned", "have remained", and "were omitted", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been deserted

Emphasizes the state of being abandoned and without support.

were abandoned

Focuses on the act of abandoning something in the past.

have been forsaken

Implies a stronger sense of abandonment, often with a moral or emotional component.

have stayed behind

Suggests a failure to progress or advance with others.

have remained

Emphasizes the persistence of something in a specific state.

have been excluded

Focuses on the act of being deliberately left out.

were omitted

Highlights the act of leaving something out or excluding it.

have been skipped

Highlights that a step or process was omitted.

were disregarded

Focuses on ignoring or paying no attention to something.

were forgotten

Highlights the act of overlooking or neglecting something in the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been left" to describe a state of abandonment or omission. For example, "The keys "have been left" on the counter", or "Many questions "have been left" unanswered".

What are some alternatives to "have been left"?

Alternatives include "were abandoned", "have remained", or "were omitted", depending on the intended meaning and context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been left"?

While "have been left" is grammatically correct, consider if an active voice construction might be more direct. For example, instead of "The decision "has been left" to the manager", you could say "They left the decision to the manager".

What's the difference between ""have been left"" and "were left"?

"Have been left" implies a state resulting from a past action that continues to have relevance, while "were left" simply describes a past action. For example, "The city "has been left" in ruins" suggests the city remains ruined, while "The city was left in ruins" simply states the fact.