have been read

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been read" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the present perfect tense of the verb "read," which means that the action of reading took place in the past and is still relevant in the present. You can use "have been read" to describe something that has been read by someone else or to indicate that you have read something. Here are a few examples: 1. The book has been read by millions of people around the world. 2. The instructions have been read and understood by all members of the team. 3. Have you ever been read a bedtime story by your parents? 4. The emails have been read, but I haven't had a chance to respond yet. 5. The contract must be signed after it has been read and reviewed by both parties.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Of course, it should have been read".

The New York Times

The last rites have been read over the New Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Should it have been read?" Mr. Levin asked.

The New York Times

What I do have strong feelings about is: The e-mail shouldn't have been read.

The New York Times

Angry letters from the bishops have been read out from pulpits across the land.

The Economist

The stamp would have been read as canceled and the postcard moved along.

The New York Times

Extracts from Gomorrah have been read in piazzas up and down the country.

The Guardian

"Our report should never have been read as an exoneration of Saudi Arabia".

The Guardian

After the few books they carry into the house have been read, that's it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Flying Daggers and Hero have been read in certain quarters as allegories about contemporary China.

The Guardian - Film

But, curiously, they seem not to have been read at all.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been read", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what performed the reading action. For example, "The documents have been read by the legal team" provides clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been read" when the active voice is more direct and clear. Instead of "The report has been read by the manager", consider "The manager read the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been read" functions as the present perfect passive form of the verb 'read'. It indicates that the action of reading has been completed, and the focus is on the object that was read rather than the subject who performed the action. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been read" is a versatile phrase functioning as the present perfect passive of the verb 'read', indicating a completed action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Its purpose is to communicate that something has been accessed and processed, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who or what performed the reading action. Keep in mind there are many alternatives such as "were reviewed" or "were consulted".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were perused

Emphasizes a careful and thorough reading; more formal.

have been examined

Suggests a more critical and analytical reading.

were reviewed

Focuses on assessing or evaluating the content.

have been studied

Implies a deeper, more focused level of engagement with the content.

have been gone through

Implies a complete but possibly quick reading process.

have been digested

Highlights the understanding and assimilation of the information.

were consulted

Highlights the act of seeking information from the text.

have been scanned

Indicates a quick or superficial reading.

were skimmed

Suggests reading quickly, focusing on the main points.

were leafed through

Suggests a casual, non-thorough reading.

FAQs

How do I use "have been read" in a sentence?

Use "have been read" to indicate that something was read in the past and the effects are still relevant. For example, "All safety instructions "have been read" and understood before operating the machinery".

What can I say instead of "have been read"?

You can use alternatives like "were reviewed", "have been examined", or "were consulted" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been read"?

While "have been read" (passive voice) is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "someone read") can sometimes make sentences more direct and easier to understand. Choose the voice that best suits the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "have been read" and "were read"?

"Have been read" is present perfect passive, indicating an action completed at an unspecified time in the past with present relevance. "Were read" is simple past passive, indicating a completed action in the past without necessarily implying present relevance. Example: "The emails "have been read", but not replied to" versus "The emails "were read" yesterday".