we have been given

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have been given" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been provided or granted to a group of people, often in a formal or passive context. Example: "We have been given the opportunity to present our findings at the conference next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have been given a voice.

The Guardian

We have been given many previous versions of Hitchcock.

The Guardian - Books

We have been given the role of implementing restorative justice.

The Guardian

We have been given a long list of microbeweries to try in Durango.

The Guardian - Travel

He remembered telling the assembled scientists: "We have been given a task.

The New York Times

"We have been given no details on the impact of early retirements, layoffs, union concessions.

The New York Times

We have been given a chance to live and we have accepted that chance.

The Guardian - Books

We have been given some more arts money to revamp our coverage of the Hay festival.

The Guardian

In turn, we have been given freedom — indeed responsibility — to choose our own paths.

The New York Times

"At the moment we have been given limited access to some of the forensic reports.

The Guardian

"The Democrats are going to stay within the budget we have been given.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we have been given" when you want to emphasize that something was provided to you by someone else, rather than acquired through your own efforts.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "we have been given" if an active voice would make your writing more direct and engaging. Consider rephrasing as "[Someone] gave us [something]" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have been given" functions as a passive construction indicating that the subject ('we') has received something from an external source. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we have been given" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to express the receipt of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral, consider the nuance and choose alternative phrases like "we have received" or "we were granted" for greater precision. Be mindful of passive voice overuse and aim for clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we have received

Replaces "given" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the act of obtaining something.

we were granted

Emphasizes the permission or authorization aspect of receiving something.

we have been provided with

Highlights the act of someone supplying something to us, often in a formal context.

we have obtained

Suggests effort or action on our part to acquire something.

we possess

Focuses on the current state of having something, rather than the act of receiving it.

we were entrusted with

Implies a sense of responsibility and care associated with what we received.

we are in receipt of

A more formal way of saying "we have received".

we have been allocated

Specifies that something has been assigned or distributed to us.

we were bequeathed

Indicates that something has been passed down or inherited.

we have come into possession of

A more elaborate way of saying "we have obtained", often implying a change of ownership.

FAQs

What does "we have been given" mean?

The phrase "we have been given" means that something has been provided, granted, or allocated to a group of people. It indicates that the group is the recipient of something, whether it's an object, an opportunity, or information.

How can I use "we have been given" in a sentence?

You can use "we have been given" to describe a situation where a group has received something. For example, "we have been given an opportunity to present our research", or "we have been given new responsibilities at work".

What can I say instead of "we have been given"?

You can use alternatives like "we have received", "we were granted", or "we have been provided with" depending on the context.

Is "we have been given" formal or informal?

The phrase "we have been given" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider using alternatives like "we are in receipt of".