have been spared

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been spared' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something negative has been avoided or prevented. For example: "The small village was in the path of the tornado, but thankfully they have been spared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hardly any states have been spared.

The New York Times

Child abuse investigators have been spared.

The New York Times

Hindu-owned businesses have been spared.

The New York Times

Not that the suburbs have been spared.

The New York Times

The youth of today have been spared.

The Guardian - Film

Most Americans have been spared that sorrow.

The New York Times

Iraqis have been spared an American air strike.

The Economist

BRITONS, thankfully, have been spared America's abortion wars.

The Economist

And now: Why should it have been spared?

The New Yorker

Think of all the lives that might have been spared.

The New York Times

Had he been refused, innocent lives might have been spared.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been spared" to emphasize that someone or something has avoided a negative experience or outcome. This phrasing is particularly effective when highlighting unexpected or fortunate escapes.

Common error

Avoid using "have been spared" when an active construction is more appropriate. Ensure the subject is clearly the recipient of the action, not the actor. For example, instead of saying 'The manager has been spared criticism because he did a very good job' is more correct to say 'The manager spared criticism because he did a very good job'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been spared" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject has avoided a negative experience. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been spared" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate the avoidance of a negative outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. As shown through the examples it often appears in News & Media. While its a very common phrase, be mindful of its passive voice and consider whether an active construction might be more appropriate for clarity. Remember to use alternatives like "have avoided" or "have escaped" to diversify your writing. Overall, "have been spared" is a reliable way to express relief or gratitude for something that did not happen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have avoided

Focuses on the act of actively avoiding something.

have escaped

Emphasizes a narrow avoidance, often implying danger.

have been exempted from

Highlights a formal or official release from an obligation.

have been excused from

Similar to exempted but often in a more casual or interpersonal context.

have been delivered from

Suggests a rescue or liberation from a difficult situation.

have evaded

Implies skillfully avoiding something, often with a sense of cunning.

have been immune to

Highlights a natural or conferred resistance to something.

have been untouched by

Emphasizes the lack of impact or influence from something.

have been unaffected by

Similar to 'untouched by' but focuses on a lack of change or influence.

have gotten away with

Implies avoiding consequences for an action.

FAQs

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

Use "have been spared" to indicate that someone or something has avoided an undesirable outcome. For example, "The city "have been spared" the worst of the storm".

What are some alternatives to "have been spared"?

You can use alternatives such as "have avoided", "have escaped", or "have been exempted from" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "have been spared" or "were spared"?

"Have been spared" is present perfect, implying a result that continues to the present, while "were spared" is simple past, referring to a completed action in the past. Choose based on the intended meaning. For example, "They "have been spared" hardship due to their parents' foresight" suggests ongoing benefit, while "They were spared the worst of the fighting" indicates a past event.

What does it mean when something "has been spared"?

When something "has been spared", it means it has avoided experiencing something negative or harmful. It suggests a fortunate or unexpected avoidance of an undesirable outcome.