have been selected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been selected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a choice or decision has been made regarding individuals or items in the past, with relevance to the present. Example: "The candidates who have been selected for the interview will be notified by email."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Variables have been selected by using stepwise backward selection.

Critical Care

Four jurors have been selected.

The New York Times

The schools surveyed have been selected randomly.

The Guardian

They have been selected by Jürgen Klinsmann.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm honored to have been selected.

Columbia University

Several test cases have been selected for the hearing.

The Guardian

So far, no specific streets have been selected.

The New York Times

I feel really privileged to have been selected".

The Guardian - Arts

No sites for the apartments have been selected.

The New York Times

These systems have been selected for their dissimilarities.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Omega Chapter's new committee chairs have been selected.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To make your writing more dynamic, consider replacing "have been selected" with stronger verbs like "chosen", "appointed", or "designated", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "have been selected" without specifying who or what did the selecting. Always provide the agent to give the sentence full context; otherwise, the sentence may feel incomplete and leave the reader wondering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been selected" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of selection by an unspecified agent. Ludwig's examples show its common use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been selected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase. According to Ludwig, its function is to indicate that a choice has been made. It commonly appears in science, news, and academic contexts, with a neutral tone suitable for a range of audiences. While grammatically correct, be mindful to make clear who did the selecting to avoid ambiguity and make your writing more direct. Alternatives include "have been chosen" or "have been picked", depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been chosen

This alternative maintains a direct synonymy, simply using a different verb with an equivalent meaning.

have been picked

This alternative replaces "selected" with a more informal synonym, implying a choice has been made.

have been designated

This alternative suggests a more official or formal assignment compared to the original phrase.

have been appointed

This alternative implies a formal assignment to a specific role or position.

have been named

This alternative suggests the act of identifying individuals or items by name, often for recognition.

have been elected

This alternative specifies that the selection was made through a voting process.

have been assigned

This alternative indicates that individuals or items have been given a specific task or purpose.

were the ones chosen

This alternative uses a more emphatic structure to highlight the selection process.

have undergone selection

This shifts the focus to the process of selection rather than the outcome.

have qualified

This alternative suggests that the individuals or items met certain criteria to be chosen.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been selected" indicates that a choice has been made. For example, "The candidates "have been selected" for the second round of interviews" or "The sites "have been selected" based on specific criteria."

What are some alternatives to "have been selected"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "have been chosen", "have been picked", or "have been appointed" to convey a similar meaning.

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

While "have been selected" is in the passive voice, the choice between active and passive depends on the focus. Use passive when the selector is unknown or less important than the selected. If the selector is important, use the active voice, e.g., "The committee selected the winners."

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

"Have been selected" implies relevance to the present, while "were selected" refers to a completed action in the past without necessarily implying current relevance. For example, "The team members "have been selected" and are now preparing for the competition" versus "The team members "were selected" last year."