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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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have been passed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been passed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to talk about something that happened in the past, implying that it has been completed. For example: "The new regulations have been passed by the government."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several more have been passed since.

News & Media

The Economist

Most budgets have been passed primarily with Democrats' votes.

News & Media

The New York Times

Tough new anti-terror laws have been passed.

News & Media

Independent

And it should have been passed to police.

News & Media

Independent

The songs have been passed on through generations".

"That information may not have been passed on".

News & Media

The New York Times

None of the remaining 13 bills, however, have been passed.

News & Media

The New York Times

"These decisions have been passed," Mr. Putin said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Collection plates have been passed at Sunday services nationwide.

News & Media

The New York Times

Similar measures have been passed in California, Michigan and Washington.

News & Media

The New York Times

Similar amendments have been passed by 27 states.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been passed" to clearly indicate that a process or action has reached completion, such as laws being enacted or milestones being achieved.

Common error

Avoid using "has been passed" when referring to multiple subjects; ensure the verb agrees with the plural subject by using "have been passed".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been passed" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that a subject has undergone a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe completed actions in the past.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been passed" is a versatile and commonly used phrase in English, functioning as a passive voice verb phrase to indicate completed actions or transfers. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and is prevalent across various domains, particularly in news and media. To ensure proper usage, remember to maintain subject-verb agreement and avoid using "has been passed" with plural subjects. Consider alternatives such as ""have been enacted"" or "have been approved" for specific contexts. By following these guidelines, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "have been passed" into your writing.

FAQs

How is "have been passed" used in a sentence?

The phrase "have been passed" indicates that something has been successfully completed or transferred, as in, "The new regulations "have been enacted" by the council" or "The knowledge "have been handed down" through generations."

What are some alternatives to "have been passed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""have been enacted"" (for laws), "have been approved" (for proposals), or "have been transmitted" (for information).

Which is correct, "have been passed" or "has been passed"?

"Have been passed" is used with plural subjects, while "has been passed" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The bills have been passed," but "The bill has been passed."

What does "have been passed down" mean?

"Have been passed down" implies that something, like a tradition or family heirloom, "have been handed down" through generations.

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Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: