have been sacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been sacked" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been dismissed from their job or position, often in a sudden or informal manner. Example: "After the poor performance of the team this season, several players have been sacked by the coach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have been sacked.

Independent

Four have been sacked.

The Guardian - Sport

Thousands of miners have been sacked.

The Economist

The most political generals have been sacked.

The Economist

The Islamist governors have been sacked.

The Economist

I'd probably have been sacked.

The Guardian

He could have been sacked.

The Guardian - Music

Civic institutions have been sacked.

The Guardian

Many supermarkets have been sacked.

The New Yorker

Should Thacker have been sacked?

The Guardian

The scriptwriter would have been sacked.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and choose a more formal or informal synonym like "were dismissed" or "were fired" depending on the intended tone.

Common error

Avoid using "have been sacked" when you intend to express active participation. The phrase implies that the subject was the recipient of the action, not the initiator. For example, do not use "have been sacked" to describe someone who actively resigned; instead, say "they resigned".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been sacked" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received the action of being dismissed. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts, highlighting its role in conveying job termination.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been sacked" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that someone has been dismissed from a job or position. Ludwig confirms its prevalence across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it is important to consider the audience and context when choosing this phrase, as more formal or informal alternatives may be more appropriate. Ludwig AI also suggests the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The key is to ensure clarity in who did the sacking and why, avoiding ambiguity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were terminated

Uses a different verb form to express the action of being dismissed.

were dismissed

Employs a synonym for "sacked", maintaining a similar level of formality.

were fired

Presents a more direct and informal way to indicate job loss.

lost their jobs

Describes the consequence of being sacked rather than the action itself.

had their contracts terminated

Specifies the type of agreement that was ended, adding a formal tone.

were let go

Offers a euphemistic expression for being sacked, softening the impact.

were relieved of their duties

Presents a formal and official way to indicate dismissal from responsibilities.

were ousted from their positions

Implies a forceful removal from a role, often due to conflict or disagreement.

faced termination

Highlights the experience of ending employment.

were given their marching orders

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate being sacked, adding a touch of humor or sarcasm.

FAQs

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

Use "have been sacked" to indicate that someone has been dismissed or fired from a job or position. For example, "After the scandal, the CEO "have been sacked" by the board of directors".

What are some alternatives to "have been sacked"?

You can use alternatives like "were terminated", "were dismissed", or "were fired" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "have been sacked" formal or informal?

"Have been sacked" is generally considered neutral but can lean towards informal depending on the context. More formal alternatives include "were terminated" or "were relieved of their duties".

What's the difference between "have been sacked" and "have resigned"?

"Have been sacked" means someone was dismissed from their position, while "have resigned" means someone voluntarily left their position. They have opposite meanings.