things have been changed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "things have been changed" is not correct in standard English.
The correct form would be "things have changed" or "things have been changed by someone." Example: "Since the last meeting, things have changed significantly in our project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Some things have been changed to protect people but I knew the people in this book.' For all their wealth, the Camorristi can be parsimonious.

The Guardian - Film

"This book is fiction and many things have been changed in fact to try to make it a picture of a true time".

The New Yorker

But things have been changed in recent years.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

I was supposed to be sharing with team-mate Pete Finbow but things have been changed around - maybe Pete has had a quiet word and doesn't want me!

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Many things had been changed, or tweaked, or taken off, and everyone seemed to be trying really hard.

The New Yorker

The positive thing that came out of it for me was that ah we heard some things had been changed.

BMC Health Services Research

NSW STI Strategy EFHIA interviewee The positive thing that came out of it for me was that ah we heard some things had been changed.

BMC Health Services Research

If that simple thing had been changed, I don't think the system would be what it is".

The New York Times - Sports

Things have been known to change dramatically in politics.

Forbes

"There has been lots of great work but the key thing has been a change in mentality".

BBC

Things have to be changed," said an astonishingly miserable David Moyes.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for the active voice and use "things have changed" for a more concise and grammatically correct statement. This phrasing is generally preferred in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using the passive construction "things have been changed" unless you need to emphasize who or what caused the change. In most cases, the active voice ("things have changed") is clearer and more direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "things have been changed" functions as a statement indicating that a set of circumstances or objects has undergone some form of modification. Ludwig AI highlights that while present in texts, it is often flagged as needing grammatical improvement, suggesting a preference for more direct constructions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "things have been changed" is understandable, it is generally considered grammatically suboptimal. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that the active voice construction "things have changed" is often a better choice due to its directness and clarity. The phrase appears primarily in news and scientific contexts, but its frequency is low, indicating that alternative phrasings are more commonly preferred. Therefore, writers should consider using more concise and active constructions to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

things have changed

Omits the passive voice construction, resulting in a more direct and grammatically standard statement.

things were altered

Replaces "changed" with "altered", providing a similar meaning with slightly different connotation.

things were modified

Substitutes "changed" with "modified", which often implies a more technical or specific alteration.

alterations have been made

Uses a more formal tone to indicate that changes have occurred.

modifications were implemented

Emphasizes the action of implementing changes, suitable for formal contexts.

adjustments have been made

Indicates that things have been adjusted, suggesting a fine-tuning or calibration process.

the situation has evolved

Focuses on the overall evolution of a situation, rather than specific changes.

a shift has occurred

Highlights a change in direction or focus.

developments have transpired

A more formal way of indicating that events or changes have taken place.

the landscape has transformed

Suggests a more significant or comprehensive change has occurred.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "things have changed" in a sentence?

Use "things have changed" to indicate that a situation or condition is different from what it was previously. For example, "Since the new management took over, things have changed for the better".

Is it better to say "things have changed" or "things have been changed"?

"Things have changed" is generally preferred because it is more concise and direct. "Things have been changed" is grammatically correct but often unnecessary unless you want to emphasize the agent that caused the change.

What's the difference between "things have changed" and "things were altered"?

"Things have changed" implies a general shift or evolution, while "things were altered" suggests a more deliberate and specific modification. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the process or the result of the change.

When should I use "alterations have been made" instead of "things have been changed"?

Use "alterations have been made" in more formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize that specific and intentional changes have been implemented. It's also suitable when the focus is on the changes themselves rather than the overall situation.