have been prevented

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been prevented" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "prevent," indicating that something was stopped or avoided in the past and the effects are still present in the present. Example: "Many accidents could have been prevented if drivers had followed traffic laws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Opportunities for prevention (n = 95): could/should have been prevented could/should not have been prevented.

British Journal of Psychiatry

Could this have been prevented?

The New York Times

Could it have been prevented?

The New York Times

This whole thing could have been prevented.

The New York Times

These suicides could have been prevented.

The New York Times

Could all that have been prevented?

The New Yorker

Could this crime have been prevented?

Independent

"It could have been prevented.

The Washington Post

Both could have been prevented.

The New York Times - Magazine

How could that accident have been prevented?

Yale University

This could all have been prevented.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been prevented", ensure the context clearly indicates what actions or measures led to the prevention. This provides a clearer understanding of the cause-and-effect relationship.

Common error

Avoid using the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. Instead of saying "They have prevented the accident", which focuses on the actors, using "The accident could "have been prevented"" places the emphasis on the event and the possibility of its avoidance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been prevented" functions as a passive voice construction in the present perfect tense. It indicates that an action or event was stopped or avoided at some point in the past, and the result of that prevention continues to be relevant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been prevented" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates an action or event was successfully stopped in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is the present perfect tense of the verb 'prevent'. Its primary function is to emphasize the successful avoidance of a particular outcome, often due to specific measures or interventions. It is versatile and suitable for a variety of contexts, including news, academic writing, and general discussions. Alternatives such as "have been avoided" or "have been averted" can be used to add nuance. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies the actions or measures that led to the prevention. In conclusion, understanding its proper use ensures clear and effective communication about successful preventative actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been avoided

Emphasizes the act of keeping something from happening, focusing on circumvention.

have been averted

Highlights the successful deflection of a negative outcome or situation.

have been stopped

Focuses on the direct action of halting something in progress.

have been forestalled

Implies proactive measures were taken to hinder or impede in advance.

have been circumvented

Highlights the strategy of bypassing an obstacle or problem.

have been deterred

Focuses on discouraging or dissuading an action from occurring.

have been inhibited

Focuses on restricting or hindering action.

have been precluded

Stresses that something was made impossible to happen.

have been eliminated

Emphasizes a complete removal or eradication.

have been minimized

Highlights the reduction of something undesirable.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been prevented" to indicate that something was successfully stopped from happening. For example, "Many accidents could "have been prevented" if safety regulations were followed".

What are some alternatives to "have been prevented"?

Some alternatives include "have been avoided", "have been averted", or "have been stopped", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Was prevented" refers to a single instance in the past, while "have been prevented" suggests a recurring or ongoing prevention spanning from the past to the present. For example, "The fire was prevented from spreading" versus "Fires "have been prevented" due to new safety measures".

What's the difference between "have been prevented" and "could have been prevented"?

"Have been prevented" implies a definite stopping of something, while "could have been prevented" suggests a possibility that something might have been stopped, often with a sense of regret or missed opportunity. For example, "The disaster could "have been prevented" with better planning" indicates a hypothetical scenario.