have been worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been worn" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present perfect tense form of the verb "wear" and is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues up to the present moment. Here is an example of its use in a sentence: "The shoes have been worn many times but they are still in good condition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sure, they have been worn before by other Feet.

The New Yorker

They have been worn down, unable to endure endless uncertainty.

The Guardian

How many T-shirts with their logo have been worn?

The Guardian - Music

These men have been worn away, like a weathered poster.

The Guardian

"These have been worn?" she said, before carefully returning them to the rack.

The New Yorker

The bra, believed to have been worn by Monroe in the late 1950s.

Independent

Crowns have been worn by rulers and divinities of both sexes since prehistoric times.

The New Yorker

I especially like how our "more generous instincts" have been worn away by "right-wing misanthropy".

The Economist

Though they have been worn down by decades of fighting, FARC rebels remain a potent force.

The New York Times

They are thought to have been worn by Inca soldiers fighting the Spanish.

The New York Times - Arts

Ornamental anklets have been worn for centuries, particularly in the East.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the history or tradition of garments or accessories, use "have been worn" to indicate a practice that continues to the present.

Common error

Avoid incorrectly switching to the simple past tense ("were worn") when the context implies that the wearing continues to the present or has relevance to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been worn" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect passive voice. It describes a state resulting from a past action that has relevance to the present.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

21%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been worn" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the state of items, particularly clothing and accessories, that have been used over a period of time. Grammatically sound and frequently employed in various contexts, it finds common use in news, media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While the phrase maintains a generally neutral register, it can lean toward formal or informal depending on the specific context. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "were worn", "had been worn", or "have been used", adjusting based on the intended nuance and tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were worn

Changes tense from present perfect to simple past; focuses on a completed action in the past.

had been worn

Shifts to past perfect; indicates an action completed before another point in the past.

have been used

Replaces "worn" with a broader term, "used", implying general utility instead of specific wearing.

have seen use

Employs a more figurative structure, focusing on the experience of being used rather than the act itself.

have experienced wear

Highlights the aspect of wear and tear rather than the act of wearing.

were in use

Highlights the state of something being employed.

have been donned

Uses a more formal and literary term for "worn", suggesting a ceremonial or special wearing.

have been sported

Implies that the item was worn to be admired or noticed.

have been modeled

Suggests the action of wearing something as a model or example.

have been affected by wear

Expresses the passive experience of having been changed or damaged by use.

FAQs

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

Use "have been worn" to describe something that people used or had during a period of time. For example: "Jeans "have been worn" by anyone who needed durable workwear."

What can I say instead of "have been worn"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "were worn", "had been worn", or "have been used".

Which is correct, "have been worn" or "were worn"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""have been worn"" suggests the action started in the past and continues to the present, while "were worn" refers to a completed action in the past.

What's the difference between "have been worn" and "have been used"?

"Have been worn" specifically refers to clothing or accessories, while "have been used" is a more general term that can apply to any object.