have been returned

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been returned" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a completed action in the past. For example, "All the books have been returned to the library."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

But none have been returned.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the original artworks have been returned.

The New York Times

They have since have been returned to their home states.

The New York Times

About 68 have been returned to their countries.

The New York Times

Nearly half the 15,000 pieces looted from the museum have been returned.

The New York Times

China argues the islands should have been returned to it on Japan's defeat in 1945.

The Economist

The money was to be used for the event, or it should have been returned".

The New York Times

So far, almost none of the "shadow assets" have been returned.

The New York Times

Since 1980, all the known birds, except for Rhodes's, have been returned.

The New Yorker

Since 1951, barely more than 100 of these have been returned.

The New York Times - Arts

Getting all the heads back — only some have been returned — has become an impassioned nationalist mission.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been returned", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being returned to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "the stolen artifacts have been returned to the museum" instead of just "they have been returned."

Common error

Avoid using "have been return" as it is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "have been returned", which uses the past participle of the verb "return".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been returned" functions as a passive perfect construction. It describes an action that was completed at some point in the past and has relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been returned" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive perfect construction. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it's employed to describe actions completed in the past with present relevance. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what is being returned to prevent ambiguity. Remember to avoid the common error of using "have been return". Consider using related alternatives like "were given back" or "were restored" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were given back

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct phrasing, focusing on the action of giving back.

were restored

Emphasizes the idea of something being brought back to its original condition or place.

have been restored to their owner

Adds the information about the owner of the things that were returned.

have come back

Uses a phrasal verb to convey the return, suitable for less formal contexts.

have been handed back

Highlights the action of handing something back, implying a more personal return.

were sent back

Focuses on the action of sending something back to its origin.

were brought back

Highlights the action of bringing something back to its original place.

are back in the hands of

Emphasizes the current state of being in possession again.

have reverted

Suggests a return to a previous state or condition, which may not always involve a physical return.

were repossessed

Indicates that something was taken back due to a legal or contractual reason.

FAQs

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

Use "have been returned" to describe a completed action where something was given back. For example, "The missing documents "have been returned" to their owner."

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

Alternatives include phrases like "were given back", "were restored", or "have been handed back" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been returned" instead of "have been returned"?

"Has been returned" is used with singular subjects, while "have been returned" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The book has been returned" (singular) versus "The books "have been returned"" (plural).

What is the difference between "have been returned" and "were returned"?

"Have been returned" implies a completed action with relevance to the present, while "were returned" simply describes a past event. For instance, "The funds "have been returned", so the project can proceed" (present relevance) versus "The funds were returned last week" (past event).