have been settled

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been settled' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that has been resolved or brought to a satisfactory conclusion. For example, "The dispute between the two companies has been settled with both sides coming to an agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I have been settled.

The Guardian - Sport

Criminal and regulatory cases have been settled.

The New York Times

The rest have been settled or dismissed.

The New York Times

"Ethnically based national conflicts have been settled," he declared.

The Guardian

But now the issue appear to have been settled.

Independent

Most cases have been settled without the need for arbitration.

The Economist

99.5% of the claims made have been settled.

The New Yorker

Many other lawsuits have been settled without going to trial.

The New York Times - Science

The argument seems to have been settled in 1994.

The Guardian - Tech

Twelve lawsuits involving Mustang fires have been settled since 1995.

The New York Times - Travel

All charges against Bindley, he said, have been settled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been settled", ensure that the context clearly indicates what has been resolved or concluded. For instance, specify whether it's a dispute, a lawsuit, or an agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "have been settled" when there are still outstanding issues or uncertainties. The phrase implies a complete resolution, so ensure all aspects of the situation are finalized before using it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been settled" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that a subject has undergone a process of resolution or finalization. As shown in Ludwig, it often describes legal disputes, agreements, or issues that have been brought to a conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been settled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate resolution or finality. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and other sources requiring a clear statement of closure. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context supports the implication of complete resolution. Alternatives such as ""have been resolved"" or ""have been concluded"" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Understanding these nuances will enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been resolved

Focuses on the act of solving a problem or dispute; slightly more formal.

have been decided

Emphasizes that a decision has been made, implying a conclusion to deliberations.

have been concluded

Highlights the termination or completion of a process or agreement; more formal.

have been finalized

Stresses the completion of all necessary steps to make something official or complete.

are now resolved

Indicates the current state of being resolved, emphasizing the present.

have reached a conclusion

Highlights the process of arriving at a final judgment or decision.

have been agreed upon

Focuses on mutual agreement and acceptance, particularly in negotiations or contracts.

have been determined

Highlights the process of establishing something definitively, often after investigation.

are now closed

Implies that a matter or case is completely finished and no longer open for discussion or action.

have been adjudicated

Specifically refers to a formal judgment or ruling, often in a legal context.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been settled" to indicate that something has been resolved or finalized. For example, "The legal dispute "have been settled" out of court" or "The terms of the agreement "have been settled" after lengthy negotiations".

What are some alternatives to "have been settled"?

Alternatives include "have been resolved", "have been decided", or "have been concluded". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been settled" for singular subjects (e.g., "The matter has been settled"). Use "have been settled" for plural subjects (e.g., "The issues "have been settled"").

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

"Have been settled" is present perfect tense, indicating that something was settled at an unspecified time in the past and is still relevant now. "Were settled" is simple past passive, indicating that something was settled at a specific time in the past and may or may not be relevant now.