have been shot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been shot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that has occurred in the past and has relevance to the present, often in a passive voice context. Example: "The photographs have been shot in various locations around the city, showcasing its beauty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Some have been shot.

The New Yorker

"I have been shot twice.

The New Yorker

"I have been shot at before.

Independent

In France Pound would have been shot.

The New Yorker

Might I have been shot?

The New York Times

I have been shot at.

The Guardian

Most have been shot, some multiple times.

The New York Times

The big proposals have been shot down.

The New York Times - Arts

And teenage protesters have been shot and killed.

The New York Times

Several appeared to have been shot in the head.

The New York Times

The rest appeared to have been shot at close range.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice constructions, such as "someone shot him/her" or "the police shot the suspect", whenever possible in order to improve the clarity and strength of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "have been shot" in contexts where it's unclear who performed the shooting or the target of the shooting. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Provide context that makes the subject and agent clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been shot" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received the action of being shot. It highlights the result of the action rather than the actor. Ludwig examples confirm its common use in news and media to report incidents of shootings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0.5%

Less common in

Science

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been shot" is a common passive construction used to describe instances where someone or something has been injured by gunfire. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and most frequently used in News & Media. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by providing context about who or what was shot. While grammatically sound, consider active voice constructions to improve the clarity and strength of your writing. Related phrases include "were shot" and "sustained gunshot wounds", offering alternative ways to convey similar information. Pay attention to sentence structure and choose the most appropriate voice to prevent any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were shot

Uses a past tense form of "to be" verb to indicate the action of shooting occurred in the past.

was shot

Singular form of "were shot", used when the subject is singular.

got shot

Employs a more informal verb "got" to convey the same meaning.

were hit by bullets

Focuses on the bullets as the cause of injury.

were struck by gunfire

Emphasizes the impact of the gunfire.

sustained gunshot wounds

Uses more formal and medical terminology to indicate injuries from being shot.

have been wounded by gunfire

Indicates injuries sustained due to shooting, placing emphasis on the wounding.

came under gunfire

Describes the event of being exposed to shooting, emphasizing the action rather than the result.

were targeted by gunfire

Highlights that the subjects were the intended victims of the shooting.

have been fired upon

Describes the event of being the target of gunfire, often in a military or law enforcement context.

FAQs

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

"Have been shot" indicates a past action with present relevance. For example, "Several protesters "have been shot" during the riot", meaning the shooting occurred and has current implications.

What's the difference between "was shot" and "have been shot"?

"Was shot" refers to a single, completed action in the past. "Have been shot" implies a past action with ongoing relevance or a series of actions. Example: "He was shot yesterday" versus "He "has been shot" multiple times in his life".

What can I say instead of "have been shot"?

Alternatives include "were shot", "sustained gunshot wounds", or "came under gunfire", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing someone getting shot?

Active voice (e.g., "The gunman shot the victim") is generally more direct and clear. Passive voice ("The victim "has been shot"") can be useful when the actor is unknown or less important than the recipient of the action.