have been washed

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been washed" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is the past participle form of the verb "wash" and is used in the present perfect tense to describe an action that was completed in the recent past or continues to the present. Example: The dishes have been washed and put away, so we can start cooking now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All have been washed away.

The New York Times

At least 25 bridges have been washed away there.

The New York Times

They have been washed and dried numerous times, even though they are recommended not to be.

The Guardian

Many of the fabrics and knits will look as if they have been washed.

The New York Times

Nobody's home; the structures that should make him safe have been washed away.

The New Yorker

Celebrating fighters surround his corpse, which appears to have been washed.

The New York Times

In the pubs, untold tankards of beer have been washed down in celebration.

The New York Times

But the renters have been washed away like ants with a garden hose.

The New York Times

Crops ready for harvest, livestock, houses, roads, bridges and other infrastructure — all have been washed away.

The New York Times

Conventional travel around Pakistan has been disrupted because roads and bridges have been washed away.

The New York Times

Lorries stand in interminable queues where roads and bridges have been washed away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing cleaning processes, use "have been washed" to indicate a completed action in the recent past or an ongoing state resulting from the washing.

Common error

Avoid using "have been washed" when referring to a future action; instead, use "will be washed" or "are going to be washed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been washed" functions as the present perfect passive voice of the verb "wash". It indicates that a past action of washing has been completed, and the result of that action is relevant in the present. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct construct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been washed" is a grammatically sound phrase functioning as the present perfect passive voice, indicating a completed washing action with present relevance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal communications. It's important to use this phrase to properly convey completed past actions. With over 50 examples available on Ludwig, its prevalence in diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC demonstrates its wide acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been cleaned

A more general term that can encompass various methods of cleaning, including washing.

have been cleansed

Replaces "washed" with a synonym that suggests a more thorough cleaning, often used metaphorically.

have been rinsed

Suggests a lighter, quicker cleaning process than "washed".

have undergone washing

A more formal way of saying something has been washed, emphasizing the process.

have been scrubbed

Implies a more rigorous cleaning, emphasizing the effort involved.

have been laundered

Specifically refers to the washing of clothes or linens.

have been purified

Highlights the removal of impurities, making something clean and pure.

have been swept away

Emphasizes the removal of something by a sweeping action, often used in the context of floods or strong currents.

have been carried away

Focuses on the movement of something by a force, such as water or wind.

have been power washed

Suggests the use of high-pressure water to clean a surface.

FAQs

How do I use "have been washed" in a sentence?

Use "have been washed" to indicate that something has been cleaned with water. For example: "The dishes "have been washed" and are ready to be put away."

What are some alternatives to "have been washed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been cleaned", "have been rinsed", or "have been laundered".

Is it correct to say "had been washed" instead of "have been washed"?

While both are grammatically correct, "had been washed" implies an action completed before another point in the past, whereas ""have been washed"" implies an action completed recently or with present relevance.

What is the difference between "have been washed" and "were washed"?

"Have been washed" is in the present perfect passive voice, emphasizing the present state resulting from a past action, while "were washed" is in the simple past passive voice, simply stating that an action occurred in the past.