not been done

USAGE SUMMARY

"not been done" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something has not yet occurred or been completed. Example: "The project has not been done due to lack of resources." Alternative expressions include "not completed" and "not accomplished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's not been done before.

Independent

"They have not been done".

The New York Times

The research had not been done.

Independent

Such a study has not been done.

The New York Times - Health

But much has not been done.

The New York Times

"Adequate study has not been done".

The New York Times

And this has not been done.

The New Yorker

Yet it has not been done.

The New York Times

Justice has not been done".

The Guardian

This had not been done.

The New Yorker

The right experiment has not been done".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "not been done", ensure that the context clearly indicates what specific action or task has not been completed. For example, instead of saying "it has not been done", specify "the research has not been done."

Common error

Avoid relying excessively on the passive voice with "not been done", as it can make your writing sound vague. Instead, consider rephrasing to use an active voice construction for more direct and engaging communication. For example, instead of writing, "the report has not been done by the team", try "the team has not completed the report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not been done" functions as part of a passive construction, typically indicating that an action or task has not been completed. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not been done" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey that something has not been completed. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is evident in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in register, it's important to use the phrase thoughtfully, ensuring clarity about what specifically has "not been done". Avoid overusing passive voice to maintain a direct and engaging writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hasn't been completed

Replaces the verb "done" with "completed" maintaining a similar level of formality.

hasn't been carried out

Substitutes "done" with "carried out", offering a slightly more formal tone.

remains undone

Uses a more concise and slightly literary structure to express the same meaning.

hasn't been executed

Employs "executed" in place of "done", suggesting a more planned or deliberate action.

hasn't been achieved

Replaces "done" with "achieved", focusing on the lack of success or attainment.

is still pending

Indicates that something is awaiting completion or resolution.

has yet to happen

Focuses on the timing, indicating that the event is in the future.

is unprecedented

Highlights the novelty of something, suggesting it has never occurred before.

lacks completion

Emphasizes the absence of finalization, using a slightly more formal tone.

remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome or occurrence is uncertain and will only be known in the future.

FAQs

How can I use "not been done" in a sentence?

You can use "not been done" to indicate that something has not yet occurred or been completed, as in "The experiment has "not been done" due to lack of funding."

What are some alternatives to saying "not been done"?

You can use alternatives like "hasn't been completed", "remains undone", or "has yet to happen" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "has not been done" or "hasn't been done"?

Both "has not been done" and "hasn't been done" are grammatically correct, but "hasn't been done" is more informal due to the contraction. Use "has not been done" in formal writing and "hasn't been done" in more casual contexts.

What's the difference between "not been done" and "not done"?

"Not been done" implies an action that was intended or expected to be completed but wasn't, whereas "not done" is a more general statement about something that hasn't occurred. For example, "The dishes are not done" implies they were meant to be washed but haven't been yet.