it has been caught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been caught" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been captured or apprehended, often in a passive context. Example: "The fish was released back into the water after it has been caught."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

It has been caught with its fingers in the till in 1994,1996 and 2006 – the last occasion when one of its agents was filmed ducking into the bushes to touch a rock containing a transmitter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even in the few weeks since the Disney fiasco, when you might think Time Warner would be too chastened to risk more censure, it has been caught misbehaving in Texas, where its cable company offered its employees bounties to place bogus orders for a rival Internet service offered by Southwestern Bell.

The New York Times

One of the largest buildings in the city, it has been caught in a tug of war between its owners and its insurers over the cost and scope of the cleanup and repairs.

The New York Times

It has been caught lying, again.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been caught in a vicious circle.

The Economist

"This is not a welcome development but it has been caught".

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"Should it have been caught?

The Guardian - Arts

But should it have been caught?

The New York Times - Sports

If it had been caught earlier it could have led to a better prognosis.

The Guardian

If a bear has tags indicating that it had been caught twice, officers often kill it.

The New York Times

The Kabul government also gave the impression it had been caught unawares.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has been caught" when you want to emphasize the result of an action (the capture) rather than the actor performing it. This is common in news reporting and formal writing where objectivity is preferred.

Common error

Avoid using "it has been caught" when a more direct, active voice construction would be clearer and more impactful. For example, instead of "the thief has been caught by the police", use "the police caught the thief".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "it has been caught" is to act as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has undergone the action of being caught. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. This construction is used to emphasize the object of the action rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has been caught" is a common passive voice construction used to emphasize the state of being captured or detected, rather than the actor performing the action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts, lending a neutral to formal tone. When using this phrase, consider whether an active voice construction would be clearer or more impactful. Remember that, while versatile, "it has been caught" should be deployed thoughtfully to convey information effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has been seized

Mirrors the original phrase more closely, maintaining the passive voice but using a different verb.

it was apprehended

Replaces the passive construction with a more direct statement of capture.

it has been detected

Highlights the act of noticing or sensing something.

it was detected

Shifts the focus to the act of discovery rather than physical capture.

it has been discovered

Focuses on the finding, rather than a physical act of catching.

it was discovered

Similar to 'detected', emphasizing the finding of something previously unknown.

it was exposed

Indicates that something hidden or secret has been revealed.

it was intercepted

Implies that something was stopped or caught while in transit.

it was found out

An idiomatic alternative suggesting the uncovering of a secret or wrongdoing.

it was seized

Suggests a forceful taking or capture.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it has been caught" to sound more active?

Consider alternatives like "someone caught it" or "authorities apprehended it" to shift the focus from the object to the actor. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "it has been caught" imply about the situation?

It typically implies that something or someone was previously free or hidden and is now under control or revealed. It also suggests that the action of catching was significant or noteworthy.

Is "it has been caught" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "it has been caught" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when the actor is unknown or less important than the action itself. News reports and academic papers frequently use this passive construction.

What's the difference between "it has been caught" and "it was caught"?

"It has been caught" implies a recent or ongoing relevance, while "it was caught" refers to a completed action in the past, without necessarily implying ongoing consequences.