have been proprietary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been proprietary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been owned or controlled by a specific individual or organization, often referring to information, technology, or products that are not available for public use. Example: "The software tools we developed have been proprietary, limiting access to only our licensed users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In many large companies the first kind of purchasing has been online for years, although the systems have been proprietary, inflexible and expensive.

The Economist

Adding insult to injury, too many features of native apps have been proprietary, shut out to Android and iOS users, and therefore limited in their application for Microsoft users too who had friends on those alternatives.

BBC

It will be incumbent upon researchers to specify their methods and imaging parameters with sufficient detail, and manufacturers will be called upon to reveal and disseminate technical details that previously may have been proprietary or confidential.

Cancer Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Although Mac OS has been proprietary, its current version, Mac OS X, is built on UNIX.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're trying to open up what has been proprietary and closed in the past," says Kumaresan.

TechCrunch

For years they have been using proprietary trading desks to take positions.

The Economist

Some specialist titles, such as the Financial Times and the Wall Street Journal, have been developing proprietary information and business tools.

The Guardian

There have been other proprietary attempts like this but a standards-based approach may win out.

TechCrunch

Grouted splice sleeves have been the proprietary products (Haber et al. 2015; Jansson 2008; Lin and Wu 2016) owned by several international companies.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Under the proposed rule, this activity could have been deemed prohibited proprietary trading.

The New York Times

The firm later added that, through "business development and other programmes", extra payments might also have been made for proprietary fund sales.Despite the firm's admission, the scale of the case against Morgan Stanley remains unclear.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technology or data, use "have been proprietary" to clearly indicate that it is owned and controlled by a specific entity, implying restricted access or use.

Common error

Don't assume that because something "have been proprietary", it is automatically superior or more effective. Proprietary systems can also be inflexible, expensive, or outdated compared to open-source alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been proprietary" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating that something is or has been under the ownership and control of a particular entity. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies exclusivity and restricted access.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been proprietary" is a descriptive phrase used to indicate that something is or has been under the ownership and control of a specific entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies exclusivity and restricted access. While grammatically correct and used across various domains, its frequency is uncommon. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly highlights the aspect of ownership and the implications of restricted access or use. Be aware that "have been proprietary" does not automatically equate to superior quality or effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been exclusive

Focuses on the aspect of being restricted to a select group, similar to proprietary but emphasizes exclusivity.

have been privately owned

Highlights the aspect of private ownership, emphasizing control by an individual or entity.

have been patented

Specifies legal protection through a patent, indicating exclusive rights granted by a government.

have been copyright protected

Indicates protection under copyright law, safeguarding creative works from unauthorized use.

have been trademarked

Refers to trademark protection, securing brand names and logos from infringement.

have been kept confidential

Emphasizes the secrecy and restricted access to information or technology.

have been restricted

Highlights the limitation of access or use, similar to proprietary but less specific.

have been internally developed

Focuses on the internal creation and ownership of something, implying restricted external access.

have been closely guarded

Emphasizes the protection and limited access to valuable assets or information.

have been uniquely designed

Highlights the uniqueness of the design, suggesting potential proprietary aspects.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as "have been proprietary"?

When something is described as "have been proprietary", it means it is owned and controlled by a specific individual or organization. This often implies that access or use is restricted and not freely available to the public.

What are some alternatives to saying "have been proprietary"?

You can use alternatives like "have been exclusive", "have been privately owned", or "have been patented" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it common to hear the phrase "have been proprietary"?

The phrase "have been proprietary" is commonly used in contexts related to technology, software, intellectual property, and business, where ownership and control are important considerations.

Is it better for a system to "have been proprietary" or open source?

Whether it's better for a system to "have been proprietary" or open source depends on the specific needs and goals. Proprietary systems may offer more control and support, while open-source systems often provide greater flexibility and community-driven development.