have been set

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been set' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used in the perfect tense (have been + past participle), and is used to refer to something that has already been completed. Example: Deadline dates for the project have been set.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The application view settings have been set to Timeline view.

WikiHow

Stricter curfews have been set.

The New York Times

Hospital beds have been set aside.

The Economist

Records have been set with five balls.

The New York Times - Sports

Hot lines have been set up.

The New York Times

Elections have been set for Feb. 21.

The New York Times

Cars have been set aflame.

The New Yorker

Two world records have been set here.

The New York Times

Yet no new regulations have been set.

The New York Times

"Big tables have been set," she wrote.

The New York Times - Food

Could we have been set up?

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been set", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the setting. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "have been set" when the action of setting is ongoing or future. Use the appropriate tense to reflect the correct timeframe. For example, instead of 'The meeting dates have been set for next week', use 'The meeting dates will be set next week'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been set" functions as part of the passive voice in the present perfect tense. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it indicates that a decision, arrangement, or establishment has been completed at some point in the past, and continues to be in effect or relevant in the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been set" is a versatile and frequently used construction in the English language, primarily functioning to indicate that something has been decided, arranged, or established. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and applicable across various registers, particularly in news, scientific, and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what is doing the setting and avoid misusing the tense. Alternative phrases like "have been established" or "have been arranged" can provide subtle variations in meaning and tone. By understanding its nuances and common errors, you can effectively incorporate "have been set" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been established

Replaces "set" with "established", emphasizing the creation or foundation of something.

have been arranged

Substitutes "set" with "arranged", highlighting the organization or planning aspect.

have been scheduled

Uses "scheduled" instead of "set", specifically referring to time-related arrangements.

have been determined

Replaces "set" with "determined", focusing on the decision-making process.

have been designated

Substitutes "set" with "designated", indicating that something has been officially chosen or assigned.

have been fixed

Uses "fixed" instead of "set", emphasizing the immutability or finality of the arrangement.

have been decided

Replaces "set" with "decided", highlighting the element of choice or resolution.

have been defined

Substitutes "set" with "defined", focusing on clarity and precision in establishing something.

have been appointed

Uses "appointed" instead of "set", referring to the formal assignment of someone to a position.

have been created

Replaces "set" with "created", emphasizing the construction or bringing into existence of something new.

FAQs

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

Use "have been set" to indicate that something has been arranged, decided, or established. For example, "The rules for the competition "have been set".".

What's a formal alternative to "have been set"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "have been established" or "have been designated" for a more professional tone.

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

Use "has been set" with singular subjects (e.g., "The deadline has been set"). Use "have been set" with plural subjects (e.g., "The deadlines "have been set"").

What's the difference between "have been set" and "are set"?

"Have been set" implies a completed action in the past that has present relevance (e.g., "The terms have been set, so we can proceed"). "Are set" implies a future arrangement or plan (e.g., "The terms are set for next week's meeting").