that have been

USAGE SUMMARY

"that have been" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that has happened or existed in the past. For example: "The houses that have been built in the last year have increased the value of the neighborhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Guys that have been there.

The New York Times - Sports

Shouldn't that have been on file?

The New York Times

Shouldn't that have been the headline?

The New York Times

Could all that have been prevented?

The New Yorker

And some that have been saved….

Independent

"Which one might that have been?

The New Yorker

"There are streets that have been denuded.

The New York Times

Wouldn't that have been something dramatic!?

The New York Times

No. Could that have been a pose?

The New York Times

that have been present all along.

The New York Times

"Wouldn't that have been lovely?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that have been" to refer to actions or states completed in the past and still relevant to the present. For example, "The changes that have been implemented are now showing results."

Common error

Avoid using "that have been" when referring to actions completed entirely in the past with no present relevance. Use the simple past tense instead. For example, instead of "The issues that have been discussed yesterday", say "The issues that were discussed yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that have been" functions as a relative clause marker, introducing a clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state or action completed in the past and having relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly used in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that have been" is a grammatically sound and very common relative clause marker used to describe actions or states completed in the past and still relevant to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is prevalent in news, scientific, and general writing, making it suitable for various contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it correctly reflects a past action with present relevance, avoiding simple past tense when the action is entirely in the past. Alternatives like "which have been" and "that were" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which have been

Replaces "that" with "which", suitable when referring to non-restrictive clauses.

those that were

Changes the tense to past and uses "those" for a more specific reference.

that were

Shortened form, omitting "have been" for a more concise expression in past contexts.

which were

Combines the function of 'which' and the past tense form of 'were', used when referring to non-restrictive clauses in the past.

that are

Changes the tense to present simple, indicating current existence or state.

that had been

Shifts to the past perfect tense, useful for emphasizing an action completed before another in the past.

things that have been

Adds the noun "things" to provide a more general reference to items or objects.

aspects that have been

Specifies "aspects" as the subject, focusing on particular features or elements.

elements that have been

Refers specifically to "elements", highlighting components or parts.

items that have been

Replaces the referent with "items", suitable when referring to a collection of objects.

FAQs

How can I use "that have been" in a sentence?

Use "that have been" to describe something that started in the past and continues to have an effect or relevance in the present. For instance, "The policies "that have been implemented" are showing positive results".

What are some alternatives to "that have been"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "which have been", "that were", or "those that were".

Is there a difference between "that have been" and "that had been"?

Yes, "that have been" implies a connection to the present, while "that had been" refers to something completed before another point in the past. For example, "the changes that have been made are still in effect" versus "the changes that had been made before the new management arrived were ineffective".

When should I use "that have been" versus "that are"?

"That have been" is used for actions completed in the past but still relevant, while "that are" is used for current states or ongoing actions. For example, "the rules that have been established are now in place" versus "the rules that are currently under review".