have been overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been overcome' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when a challenge or obstacle has been successfully dealt with. For example: "Despite the many difficulties we faced, we have been able to overcome them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But they have been overcome.

The Guardian - Sport

Nevertheless, these difficulties have been overcome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If so, those now appear to have been overcome.

The Guardian

That's how epidemics have been overcome, to a great extent.

The New York Times

All political and financial objections have been overcome.

The New York Times

But the Orioles have been overcome by a culture of losing.

The New York Times

Campbell's early wobbles have been overcome, and no leadership challenge is now on the cards.

The Guardian - Opinion

Almost all obstacles, from Republican governors to the Supreme Court, have been overcome.

The Guardian

"I'm not saying all the barriers have been overcome," Mr. Marquez said.

The New York Times

On issues such as the Eucharist, misunderstandings have been overcome and substantial agreement reached.

The Guardian

"I would not say all these difficulties have been overcome," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been overcome" to clearly indicate that obstacles or difficulties have been successfully resolved. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts to convey a sense of achievement or progress.

Common error

Avoid using "have been overcome" when the challenges are still ongoing or not fully resolved. This phrase indicates a completed action, so ensure that the difficulties are genuinely in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been overcome" functions as the predicate of a sentence, specifically in the passive voice. It indicates that a subject has been acted upon and a set of challenges or obstacles has been successfully dealt with. As supported by Ludwig, it correctly communicates the completion of a process where difficulties were resolved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been overcome" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that challenges or obstacles have been successfully resolved. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, effectively conveying a sense of achievement and progress. While highly versatile, it's important to ensure that the obstacles are genuinely in the past when using this phrase. Alternatives such as "have been conquered" or "have been surmounted" may be used for slight variations in meaning. Across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, "have been overcome" serves as a reliable and clear way to communicate successful resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been conquered

Replaces 'overcome' with 'conquered', implying a more forceful victory.

have been surmounted

Uses 'surmounted' as a synonym for 'overcome', suggesting the challenges were climbed over.

have been resolved

Replaces 'overcome' with 'resolved', focusing on the solution aspect of dealing with the difficulties.

have been conquered and defeated

Uses a more complex structure, emphasizing the completeness of the overcoming.

have been successfully navigated

Shifts the metaphor to navigation, implying careful maneuvering through challenges.

have been successfully addressed

Replaces 'overcome' with 'addressed', highlighting the act of dealing with the challenges effectively.

have been tackled effectively

Emphasizes the effectiveness of the approach to managing difficulties.

have been turned into advantages

Expresses that the challenges have not only been overcome, but used to one's benefit.

are now things of the past

Shifts the focus to the result rather than the action of overcoming.

no longer present challenges

Focuses on the current state where the difficulties are no longer an issue.

FAQs

What does "have been overcome" mean?

The phrase "have been overcome" means that challenges, difficulties, or obstacles have been successfully resolved or dealt with. It indicates a state of completion and success in conquering a problem.

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

You can use "have been overcome" to describe a situation where problems or obstacles have been successfully resolved. For example, "The initial challenges in the project "have been overcome", and we are now on track to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "have been overcome"?

Some alternatives to "have been overcome" include phrases like "have been conquered", "have been surmounted", or "have been resolved". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "was overcome" instead of "have been overcome"?

The choice between "was overcome" and "have been overcome" depends on the context and tense. "Was overcome" is used for a single event in the past, while "have been overcome" indicates a state resulting from a past action that continues to be relevant. For example, "He was overcome with emotion" describes a past emotional state, whereas "The obstacles "have been overcome"" suggests a problem that has been resolved with ongoing implications.