Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
have been obtained
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"have been obtained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation that existed in the past and has been completed. For example: "All the necessary documents have been obtained."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Alternative expressions(20)
were acquired
were received
were secured
were attained
were derived
were gathered
were realized
were fulfilled
have been administered
have been broken up
have been made up
were taken
have been capable
have been detected
have been sold
have been taken up
have been implemented
have been approved
have been raised
have been planned
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Similar results have been obtained by South Yorkshire.
News & Media
Some of the information may have been obtained through torture.
News & Media
The documents have been obtained by the BBC.
News & Media
How could this tape have been obtained legally?
News & Media
Satisfactory results have been obtained.
Science
Promising results have been obtained.
Encouraging results have been obtained.
Financial disclosure statements have been obtained.
Some interesting results have been obtained.
Some brilliant achievements have been obtained.
When available, pharmacokinetic data have been obtained.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When writing formally, use "have been obtained" to indicate that data, results, or permissions were acquired through a specific process. This construction adds a layer of objectivity and professionalism to your writing.
Common error
Avoid using "have been obtain" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle form of "obtain" is "obtained".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "have been obtained" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that a subject has received or acquired something as a result of a completed action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is commonly used in English.
Frequent in
Science
71%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
9%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "have been obtained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something has been acquired or received. As Ludwig AI validates, this phrase is considered correct in English. It's commonly employed in science and news contexts, lending itself well to formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the correct tense and consider alternatives like "were acquired" or "were received" for stylistic variation. Remember to avoid the common error of using the incorrect past participle form. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "have been obtained" into your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were acquired
Replaces "obtained" with "acquired", focusing on the act of gaining possession.
were received
Substitutes "obtained" with "received", emphasizing the act of getting something.
were secured
Replaces "obtained" with "secured", highlighting the effort put into acquiring something.
were attained
Substitutes "obtained" with "attained", suggesting that something was achieved or reached.
were derived
Replaces "obtained" with "derived", indicating that something was extracted or developed from a source.
were gathered
Substitutes "obtained" with "gathered", focusing on the act of collecting information or items.
were extracted
Replaces "obtained" with "extracted", highlighting the action of carefully removing something.
were accessed
Substitutes "obtained" with "accessed", emphasizing the ability to reach or use something.
were realized
Replaces "obtained" with "realized", highlighting something that was brought into being or made possible.
were fulfilled
Substitutes "obtained" with "fulfilled", emphasizing the successful completion of a requirement.
FAQs
How can I use "have been obtained" in a sentence?
You can use "have been obtained" to indicate that something has been acquired or achieved, for example: "The necessary permissions "have been obtained" for the project to proceed."
What are some alternative phrases for "have been obtained"?
Alternatives include phrases like "were acquired", "were received", or "were secured", depending on the context.
Is "have been obtained" formal or informal?
"Have been obtained" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.
What is the difference between "have been obtained" and "were obtained"?
"Have been obtained" is present perfect tense, implying relevance to the present, while "were obtained" is simple past tense, referring to a completed action in the past without necessarily implying current relevance.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested