have been neglected

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been neglected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something did not receive the attention it deserved for an extended period of time. For example: The city's parks have been neglected for years, leading to unreliable playground equipment and unsafe walking paths.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the role of rhythm in speech recovery appears to have been neglected.

Brain

"It tends to have been neglected.

The New Yorker

We have been neglected for not only years but decades".

Independent

Not that these grim neighbourhoods have been neglected.

The Economist

"These areas have been neglected for too long.

The New York Times

But not all stock funds have been neglected.

The New York Times

These two elements have been neglected for too long".

The Guardian - Sport

"They have been neglected by society," Ms. Stewart declared.

The New York Times

Diseases such as these have been neglected for several reasons.

The Guardian

It is rural schools which have been neglected and ignored down the years.

Independent

Lavishly aided countries have grown no faster than those that have been neglected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been neglected" to highlight a lack of attention or care over a period, especially when discussing issues of maintenance, responsibility, or oversight.

Common error

While "have been neglected" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can weaken your writing. Consider whether an active construction might be more direct and impactful; for example, instead of "The garden has been neglected", try "We neglected the garden."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been neglected" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something has undergone a period of insufficient care or attention. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show the phrase used across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been neglected" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a state of prolonged inattention or lack of care. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable across numerous contexts. Its frequency is high, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, consider the potential for passive voice and whether a more direct, active construction might be more impactful. While there are other alternatives, like "have been overlooked" or "have been ignored", the best choice depends on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been overlooked

Focuses more on being missed or not noticed, rather than actively ignored.

have been ignored

Emphasizes a deliberate act of disregarding or paying no attention.

have been disregarded

Implies a conscious decision to dismiss or reject something.

have been abandoned

Suggests a complete cessation of support or attention, often with negative consequences.

have been forsaken

Carries a stronger connotation of being deserted or left behind, often with emotional implications.

have been slighted

Indicates a feeling of being treated disrespectfully or undervalued.

have been marginalized

Highlights the act of pushing something to the edge or periphery, reducing its importance.

have been underestimated

Suggests that the value or importance of something has not been properly recognized.

have been undervalued

Focuses specifically on the inadequate assessment of worth or merit.

have been suppressed

Implies an active effort to prevent something from being known or expressed.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been neglected" to describe something that has not received enough attention or care over time. For instance, "The historical landmarks "have been neglected" due to budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "have been neglected"?

Alternatives to "have been neglected" include phrases like "have been overlooked", "have been ignored", or "have been disregarded", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "have been neglected" or "were neglected"?

The choice between "have been neglected" and "were neglected" depends on the timeframe. "Have been neglected" implies a state that began in the past and continues to the present, while "were neglected" refers to a situation that occurred and concluded in the past.

What's the difference between "have been neglected" and "have been abandoned"?

"Have been neglected" suggests a lack of attention or care, while "have been abandoned" implies a complete cessation of support or attention. Abandonment is a more severe form of neglect.