have been marked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been marked' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has experienced an observable, tangible change. For example: The trees have been marked with brightly colored ribbons to differentiate them from each other.

✓ Grammatically correct

Lanes have been marked by road markings and traffic signs

The physical demands on both actresses have been marked

There have been marked improvements inside some schools

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lanes have been marked by road markings and traffic signs.

BBC

The physical demands on both actresses have been marked.

The Guardian

There have been marked improvements inside some schools.

The Washington Post

Other colleagues have been marked out as heretics in lectures.

The Guardian

The polemics have been marked by an uncommon bitterness.

The New York Times

Since the 1950s, however, there have been marked changes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Millennials' experiences have been marked by political dysfunction and economic anxiety, he said.

Harvard University

The past several years have been marked by extraordinary advances in clinical applications of immunotherapy.

Cytotherapy

Their childhoods frequently have been marked by physical or sexual abuse.

The New York Times

They have been marked by power, precision and the absence of a celebrity body trail.

The Guardian - Sport

Does Vallaud-Belkacem think women's issues have been marked by a "before and after DSK" moment?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been marked", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what did the marking and for what purpose. For example, "The trails have been marked by volunteers to guide hikers."

Common error

Avoid using "has been marked" when referring to a plural subject. The correct form for plural subjects is "have been marked". For example, use "The milestones have been marked" instead of "The milestones has been marked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been marked" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received a specific mark, label, or designation. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes something that has experienced an observable, tangible change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been marked" is a versatile and grammatically sound construct widely used to indicate that something has been designated, identified, or characterized in a noticeable manner. As Ludwig AI notes, it signifies a tangible change. It commonly appears in various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using "have been marked", ensure clear context about who or what did the marking and its purpose. Consider alternatives like "have been designated" or "have been identified" to fine-tune your message. Avoid the common error of incorrect subject-verb agreement to maintain grammatical accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been designated

Focuses on the act of formally assigning or specifying something.

have been identified

Emphasizes the recognition or discovery of something previously unknown or undefined.

have been characterized

Highlights the defining attributes or qualities that distinguish something.

have been distinguished

Stresses the act of setting something apart from others based on specific criteria.

have been noted

Implies a formal or official acknowledgment of something.

have been labeled

Suggests the act of assigning a specific name or category to something.

have been tagged

Implies attaching a marker or identifier for easy recognition or sorting.

have been highlighted

Emphasizes the act of drawing attention to something significant or important.

have been underlined

Focuses on emphasizing a specific aspect or detail.

have been singled out

Indicates that something has been chosen or selected from a larger group.

FAQs

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

Use "have been marked" to indicate that something has received a visible sign, characteristic, or designation. For example, "The documents "have been marked" confidential".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "have been marked"?

Alternatives include "have been designated", "have been labeled", or "have been identified", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "has been marked" instead of "have been marked"?

"Has been marked" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The item has been marked"), while "have been marked" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The items "have been marked"").

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

"Have been marked" indicates a present perfect passive construction, suggesting the marking occurred at an unspecified time in the past and is still relevant. "Were marked" is a simple past passive construction, indicating the marking occurred and concluded in the past.