it has been deserved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has been deserved" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly as "deserved" is not commonly used in the passive voice in this context. Example: "After years of hard work, the recognition he received was well-deserved."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I think some of it has been deserved," Mr. Obama said, citing poor policymaking at the Chicago Housing Authority and Chicago public schools.

The New York Times

I've written before that while some of it, perhaps even lots of it, has been deserved, much of it has not.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Footballers have received a lot of negative press the past, most of which has been deserved.

BBC

It would have been deserved reward for a spirited effort, but after referral to the television match official, the score was ruled out for a knock-on.

BBC

Had the substitute scored the winner from that effort it would have been deserved for Kit Symons' Championship side, who showed great discipline and created good chances of their own.

BBC

It would have been deserved reward for Gary Speed's improving Wales against an off-colour England, who at least had the comfort of their first win at Wembley for more than a year.

BBC

SN Read the match report: Romania 1-1 Greece (2-4 aggregate) It wasn't pretty and it may not have been deserved, but Scotland's 1-0 victoverover Norway in Molde capped a more than encouraging calender year for the national side under the charge of Gordan Strachan.

The Guardian - Sport

"That said, we had a right go at the end, got it back to 3-2, and though it might not have been deserved, we got in good positions and we might have nicked a draw.

BBC

If truth be told, it would not have been deserved.

The Guardian - Sport

That reputation might have been deserved, but it was also the product of the same self-confidence that made him such an effective and feared scorer.

The New York Times

"A win and a clean sheet would have been deserved and it's two points dropped".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using active voice constructions such as "they deserved it" or "it was well-deserved" for clearer and more impactful writing. This enhances readability and ensures grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using the passive construction "it has been deserved" as it's often grammatically awkward. Opt for clearer alternatives that specify who earned or deserved something, improving sentence structure and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has been deserved" functions as a passive construction, aiming to express that something was earned or merited. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this phrasing is not considered standard English and is generally grammatically awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it has been deserved" appears in a variety of sources, Ludwig AI highlights that it's not considered standard English and is often grammatically awkward. As such, it is better to opt for clearer and more impactful alternatives such as "it was well-deserved" or "they deserved it". These active voice constructions enhance readability and ensure grammatical correctness, making your writing more effective and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was well-earned

Changes the structure to emphasize the effort that justifies the reward.

it was justified

Replaces 'deserved' with a direct synonym, focusing on the fairness of the outcome.

it was merited

Uses a more formal synonym of 'deserved', stressing the inherent worthiness.

it was appropriate

Shifts the focus to the suitability or fittingness of the result.

it was warranted

Indicates that there were sufficient grounds or reasons for the outcome.

it was fitting

Emphasizes the harmony or consonance of the outcome with the circumstances.

it was a fair reward

Specifically highlights the fairness of the result as a recompense.

they earned it

Shifts the focus to the actions that led to the deserved outcome.

they had it coming

Suggests that something negative was rightly imposed due to prior actions.

the outcome was rightful

Highlights the legitimacy and justice of the result.

FAQs

Is "it has been deserved" grammatically correct?

While you may find instances of "it has been deserved", it's generally considered grammatically awkward. More common and clearer alternatives include "it was well-deserved" or "they deserved it".

What are some alternatives to "it has been deserved"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was well-earned", "it was justified", or "it was merited", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use a passive construction like "it has been"?

Passive constructions are appropriate when the actor is unknown or unimportant. However, in the case of "it has been deserved", it's generally clearer and more effective to use an active construction to highlight who or what earned the reward.

How can I make my writing sound more natural when expressing that something was earned?

Using active voice, such as "they earned it" or "the team deserved the victory", makes your writing more direct and engaging. It avoids the ambiguity that can arise with passive constructions like "it has been deserved".