have been torn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been torn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been ripped or damaged in the past and continues to have that state in the present. Example: "The pages of the old book have been torn, making it difficult to read."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Many vacant houses have been torn down.

The New York Times

"Now most have been torn down for modern buildings".

The New York Times

A skirt would probably have been torn away from me".

Independent

Tariff ramparts have been torn down (see chart 3).

The Economist

The firm's greatest buildings have been torn down.

The New Yorker

"And I frankly have been torn by that".

The New York Times

"Our social fabric will have been torn apart.

The New York Times

The normal rules of party leadership have been torn up.

The Guardian

Older houses have been torn down in recent years to make room for larger, newer ones.

The New York Times

That the locks have been torn off the office doors, he admits, has led to pilfering.

The Economist

U.S. officials have been torn between concerns for stability and for self-rule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been torn" to describe emotional distress, ensure the context clearly indicates a sense of deep conflict or division. For example, "I have been torn between two job offers".

Common error

Avoid using "have been torn" when describing minor damage. Instead of saying "My shirt has been torn a little", consider "My shirt has a small tear" or "My shirt is slightly ripped".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been torn" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that something has undergone the action of being torn. As shown by Ludwig, it is widely used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe a state resulting from a past action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been torn" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a state resulting from a past action of tearing, according to Ludwig AI. It functions as a passive perfect construction applicable in both literal (physical damage) and figurative (emotional conflict) contexts. It maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate across various writing styles, and is most frequently found in news and media sources. To avoid misuse, be mindful of the context and consider alternatives like "have been ripped" or "have been damaged" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been ripped

Replaces "torn" with a synonym emphasizing forceful separation or damage.

have been shredded

Suggests a more violent or complete destruction than "torn".

have been damaged

A more general term indicating harm or impairment without specifying the nature of the damage.

have been destroyed

Indicates complete ruin or obliteration, a stronger form of damage.

have been dismantled

Implies taking something apart piece by piece, often in a deliberate way.

have been broken apart

Emphasizes the separation or fragmentation of something into pieces.

have been separated

Focuses on the act of being divided or moved apart, rather than the damage.

have been extracted

Suggests something has been removed with effort or force.

have been removed

A general term for something that has been taken away or displaced.

have been devastated

Highlights the emotional or physical ruin resulting from a destructive event.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been torn" to describe physical objects, such as "The flag "has been torn" by the wind", or abstract concepts, such as "I "have been torn" between my family and my career".

What's a good alternative to "have been torn" when describing emotional conflict?

Alternatives to "have been torn" in an emotional context include "have been conflicted", "have been divided", or "have been hesitant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "have been ripped" or "have been torn"?

While both "have been ripped" and ""have been torn"" can describe the action of something being forcibly separated, "torn" often implies a more deliberate or controlled action, while "ripped" suggests a sudden, violent action. The choice depends on the context.

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

"Have been torn" indicates a past action with present relevance, emphasizing that the tearing occurred in the past and the effect is still visible or relevant. "Are torn" describes a current state of being, stating that something is presently in a torn condition. For example, "The documents "have been torn" (so we cannot use them)" vs "The documents "are torn" (look at this mess)".