have been undervalued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been undervalued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone has not received the recognition or worth they deserve over a period of time. Example: "Many artists have been undervalued throughout history, despite their significant contributions to culture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

In total, he estimates that the scheme could have been undervalued by as much as £500m.

The Guardian

Signs that assets have been undervalued are traceable in public records, however.

The New York Times

For too long these facts have been undervalued in discussions of climate change.

The New York Times

As a result landscape resources have been undervalued, underfunded and marginalised in favour of larger grey infrastructure development.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Lithic tools in particular have been undervalued for their symbolic meaning, which goes well beyond style and ethnicity models.

L'Anthropologie

This new reality proved to be a boon for artists still in their prime and who might have been undervalued.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Scripps argues that it has been undervalued.

The New York Times

"She has been undervalued all her life".

The New York Times

Whimsy, it turns out, had been undervalued.

The New York Times

"Maybe his talent has been undervalued in English football".

The New York Times

Do you feel your role has been undervalued?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been undervalued" to advocate for a reevaluation or renewed appreciation of something or someone. Highlight the potential benefits of recognizing the true worth.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the extent to which something "has been undervalued". Use data or concrete evidence to support your claims and maintain credibility. Don't say something "has been undervalued" without providing any rationale.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been undervalued" functions as a passive verb construction. It indicates that a subject has not received the appropriate level of recognition or importance. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

26%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been undervalued" effectively conveys that something or someone's true worth hasn't been adequately recognized. It's grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Science and serves to highlight a gap between perceived and actual value. To ensure clarity, provide context about who is doing the undervaluing and support your claims with evidence. Avoid overstating the extent of undervaluation and be mindful of choosing the right alternative phrase, like have been underestimated, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been underestimated

Focuses on the act of setting a lower estimate than the true value or potential.

have been overlooked

Emphasizes a failure to notice or consider something important.

have been underrated

Highlights the lack of proper recognition or acclaim.

have been discounted

Suggests a reduction in importance or significance.

have been dismissed

Implies a rejection of something as unimportant or irrelevant.

have been neglected

Indicates a lack of care or attention.

have been belittled

Focuses on making something seem less important or significant.

have been marginalized

Highlights the act of pushing something to the edge or periphery, reducing its influence.

have been slighted

Emphasizes a disrespectful or dismissive treatment.

have been minimized

Suggests a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been undervalued" to describe situations where something or someone's worth isn't fully recognized. For example, "The contributions of female scientists "have been undervalued" for decades."

What are some alternatives to saying "have been undervalued"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "have been underestimated", "have been overlooked", or "have been underrated".

Is it better to say "have been undervalued" or "are undervalued"?

"Have been undervalued" suggests a past state that may be changing or needs to be addressed. "Are undervalued" describes a current state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a historical trend or a present condition. For example, "These assets are undervalued" focuses on the current financial standing, while "These assets "have been undervalued"" may refer to their initial worth.

What's the difference between "have been undervalued" and "have been underestimated"?

"Have been undervalued" implies a lack of monetary or inherent worth recognition, while "have been underestimated" suggests a miscalculation of potential or ability. One refers to worth, the other to potential.