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Discover LudwigThe phrase "have been was" is not grammatically correct and should be avoided in written English.
It is a combination of two different verb tenses, "have been" (present perfect) and "was" (simple past), which do not work together in this way. Instead, you could use "had been" (past perfect) to indicate an action or state that occurred in the past before another past event. For example: - I had been waiting for hours before she finally arrived. - The party had been going on for hours when the electricity went out. Alternatively, you could use "have been" on its own to indicate a continuous action or state that started in the past and is still ongoing in the present. For example: - I have been studying English for 3 years. - The flowers have been blooming beautifully all spring. Using "was" on its own indicates a single past event or state that is now over. For example: - She was happy when she received the news. - The building was constructed in the 1800s. Overall, it is important to use verb tenses correctly in order to communicate clearly and effectively in written English.
Exact(51)
But the last place on earth this weapon should have been was in an elementary school.
"The potential for what could have been was really lost," he said.
What might have been was the question on everyone's lips at Anfield.
Obama's analysis, heartfelt though it may have been, was meant to serve a purpose.
Pietersen's intervention, when captain, hamfisted as it may have been, was not without foundation.
What "Cars" could have been was a photo history of automotive styling.
Similar(9)
What I wasn't prepared for, though maybe I should have been,* was the film's utter moral depravity.
His message -- whatever it may have been -- was sent.
For one thing, that simply isn't true; what we have done with expert advice has been wrong, but the advice itself -- imperfect though it may always have been -- was far less problematic.
For a truly great actor to play a thespian might-have-been was a stunning achievement.
Eventually dismissing this as an idle or feeble mood, he reflects further: "What-might-have-been was a waste of time.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com