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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 placed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been placed" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase "have been placed" to indicate that something has been put in a certain place, usually with the help of someone else. For example: "The new bookshelves have been placed in the living room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

So the bets have been placed.

News & Media

The New York Times

They have been placed in protective custody.

News & Media

The New York Times

All have been placed under medical surveillance.

News & Media

The Guardian

They have been placed on paid administrative leave.

News & Media

The Guardian

"Several employees have been placed on administrative leave".

News & Media

The New York Times

Five hundred portable toilets have been placed around the area.

News & Media

The New York Times

"The two inmates have been placed in administrative detention.

News & Media

The New York Times

They have been placed center stage in the campaign.

Further questions have been placed on the notice paper.

News & Media

The Guardian

Biologically engineered bladders have been placed in many patients.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Both detectives have been placed on modified duty.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been placed" to describe the passive act of positioning something by an unspecified actor. This construction is useful when the actor is unknown or irrelevant.

Common error

Avoid using "have been placed" when an active voice construction would be more direct and clear. For example, instead of "The responsibility has been placed on the team", consider "The team was assigned the responsibility".

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

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been placed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action has been performed on a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is generally used when the actor performing the action is unknown or unimportant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been placed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive voice construction, primarily used to describe the state of something after it has been positioned, without emphasizing the actor. While its register is generally neutral, it adapts to formal and informal contexts based on the source. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, "have been placed" is a versatile phrase for conveying information about arrangement or status. When aiming for a more direct tone, active voice alternatives like "were positioned" or "were located" may be considered.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have been placed" to sound more active?

Consider using phrases like "were positioned", "were situated", or "were located" to create a more active and direct sentence structure. For instance, instead of "The sensors "have been placed" throughout the forest", you might say "Researchers positioned the sensors throughout the forest".

When is it best to use the passive voice construction "have been placed"?

Use "have been placed" when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to emphasize the object or result of the action rather than the actor. For example, "Warning notices "have been placed" at entrances to the area".

What are some formal alternatives to "have been placed"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "have been positioned", "have been situated", or "have been allocated". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, but the correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been placed" with singular subjects (e.g. "The book has been placed on the table"), and "have been placed" with plural subjects (e.g. "The books "have been placed" on the shelf").

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: