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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
have been retrieved
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "have been retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something has been obtained or collected, typically in the past and with relevance to the present. Example: "The data have been retrieved from the server and are now ready for analysis."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Encyclopedias
Alternative expressions(20)
were obtained
have been acquired
have been collected
have been secured
have been accessed
have been unearthed
have been obtained
have been broken up
have been made up
were taken
have been capable
have been detected
were documented
have been taken up
have been implemented
have been approved
have been received
have been inscribed
have been planned
have been dug up
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Since the inception of our program, 101 annealed HXLPE liners have been retrieved in our orthopaedic implant retrieval program.
Eight Granit missiles have been retrieved.
News & Media
Samplessults about thaveossibeenoretrievedthe impactors are provided by the chemical identiforation of particlaboratorys inside the cranalysis
Science
A variety of atmospheric trace gases have been retrieved.
Science
The optical properties have been retrieved from literature data.
These references have been retrieved from 111 scientific journals.
Forty-eight bodies have been retrieved from the Java Sea and brought to Surabaya for identification.
News & Media
Of 20 tags attached to spawning-age fish, 8-plus years old, 17 have been retrieved.
News & Media
Since it was discovered in 1909, over 60,000 specimens have been retrieved from the bed.
Encyclopedias
Core samples of the seafloor along the Ninetyeast Ridge have been retrieved through deep-sea drilling.
Encyclopedias
In total 150,000 vertical scans of CFC-11 and CFC-12 have been retrieved.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "have been retrieved" to emphasize that something has been successfully recovered or obtained, especially after a search or effort. It clearly indicates a completed action with present relevance.
Common error
Avoid using "have been retrieved" when simpler verbs like 'obtained' or 'received' would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex in contexts where a straightforward acquisition is implied.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "have been retrieved" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice. It indicates that something has been acted upon and recovered or obtained. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.
Frequent in
Science
42%
News & Media
40%
Encyclopedias
5%
Less common in
Formal & Business
3%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "have been retrieved" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates something has been successfully recovered or obtained, often after a search or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Its prevalence in academic, scientific, and news contexts suggests a formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the action of retrieval and consider simpler alternatives like "obtained" or "recovered" when appropriate. The phrase's versatility makes it valuable for clearly communicating completed actions with present relevance.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
were recovered
Focuses on the action of recovering something, often implying it was lost or missing.
were obtained
Emphasizes the act of gaining possession of something, often through a formal process.
have been acquired
Focuses on the action of getting something, often through purchase or effort.
have been collected
Emphasizes a systematic gathering of items or information.
have been secured
Highlights the act of making something safe and obtaining it.
were extracted
Highlights the process of carefully removing something from a larger entity or source.
have been accessed
Focuses on the ability to reach and use something, often data or information.
were salvaged
Implies that something was saved from damage or destruction.
have been unearthed
Implies discovery through excavation or investigation.
were regained
Indicates a return to a previous state of possession or control.
FAQs
How can I use "have been retrieved" in a sentence?
The phrase "have been retrieved" is used to indicate that something has been recovered or obtained. For example, "The lost documents "have been retrieved" from the archive."
What are some alternatives to "have been retrieved"?
Alternatives to "have been retrieved" include "were recovered", "were obtained", or "were extracted depending on the context".
Is it correct to say "had been retrieved" instead of "have been retrieved"?
Yes, "had been retrieved" is correct, but it places the retrieval further in the past relative to another past event. "Have been retrieved" connects the retrieval to the present.
What is the difference between "have been retrieved" and "were retrieved"?
"Have been retrieved" is present perfect tense, implying the action's relevance to the present. "Were retrieved" is simple past tense, simply stating the action occurred in the past without necessarily connecting it to the present.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested