Also Has Been vs. Has Also Been – Which is Correct?
Both “also has been” and “has also been” are grammatically correct. The difference is emphasis and adverb placement: “has also been” is usually the more natural choice in standard prose, while “also has been” can emphasize the subject or contrast with another verb phrase. Choose based on rhythm and meaning.
A similar comparison appears in Has Been vs. Have Been, where subject agreement determines the correct auxiliary.
Also Has Been or Has Also Been – Which is Correct?
Both “also has been” and “has also been” are correct English phrases. The main difference is the position of the adverb also in relation to the auxiliary verb has.
“Has also been” is generally the more natural and common choice in standard English. It places also between the auxiliary verb has and the past participle been.
“Also has been” is grammatical too, but it may sound more deliberate or emphatic. It is often used when the writer wants to add another fact, contrast two subjects, or maintain a particular sentence rhythm.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the standard auxiliary-verb pattern as your quick test: place also after the first helping verb. For example, write “has also been successful”, just as you would write “has also worked”.
Use “also has been” when it fits a contrast or parallel structure, such as: “The company has expanded, and it also has been profitable.” In most ordinary sentences, however, “has also been” will sound smoother.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| also has been | Adverb plus verb phrase | Has been true or has occurred in addition to something else | The policy also has been difficult to enforce. |
| has also been | Verb phrase with an adverb | Has been true or has occurred additionally | The policy has also been difficult to enforce. |
How to Use Also Has Been
“Also has been” is formed from the adverb also followed by the auxiliary verb has and the past participle been. It is grammatically correct when the subject comes before the phrase, as in “The project also has been delayed.”
This arrangement is somewhat less common than “has also been” in neutral prose. It can be useful when also introduces an additional subject or fact, or when the sentence contains a parallel structure.
Example 1: The new system also has been tested by independent engineers.
Example 2: The museum also has been home to several temporary exhibitions.
Example 3: The proposal also has been criticized for its lack of detail.
Etymology of the Phrase Also Has Been
The phrase combines also, an adverb meaning “in addition” or “too,” with has been, the third-person singular present perfect form of the verb be. The word also developed from older Germanic forms related to the meaning “all so” or “in the same way.” The verb be has roots in several ancient Germanic forms and is one of the oldest and most irregular verbs in English.
How to Use Has Also Been
“Has also been” is the more usual word order in contemporary standard English. Here, also appears between the auxiliary verb has and the past participle been. This position is natural in formal writing, academic prose, business communication, and everyday conversation.
The phrase can describe an additional state, condition, role, or experience that began in the past and remains relevant or has relevance to the present. It may be followed by an adjective, noun phrase, prepositional phrase, or participle.
Example 1: She has also been responsible for training new employees.
Example 2: The region has also been affected by rising temperatures.
Example 3: This approach has also been successful in smaller communities.
Etymology of the Phrase Has Also Been
Has also been contains the same three elements as also has been: the adverb also, the auxiliary form has, and the past participle been. The difference is word order rather than origin. English commonly places adverbs such as also, often, and never between an auxiliary verb and the main verb or participle.
Related Concepts
Understanding adverb placement and the present perfect tense makes the difference between these two phrases much easier to recognize.
- Adverb placement: Adverbs such as also can appear in different positions, but their placement affects emphasis, rhythm, and naturalness. In verb phrases with an auxiliary, they commonly appear after the first auxiliary verb.
- Present perfect tense: Has been is a present perfect construction. It connects a past state or event with the present, as in “The building has been empty for months.”
- Auxiliary verbs: The verb has helps form the present perfect construction. In “has also been,” has is the first auxiliary, and also is placed immediately after it.
- Parallel structure: Writers may use also has been to coordinate or balance two related ideas, especially when adding a second fact about a subject.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples reflect the kinds of wording commonly found in news writing, formal commentary, narrative prose, and professional reports.
- News-style example: The investigation has also been expanded to include several regional offices.
- Business-report example: The company has also been recognized for its environmental initiatives.
- Literary-style example: The old house has also been a place of refuge for travelers.
- Documentary-style example: The river also has been an important source of food for nearby communities.
- Academic-style example: The theory has also been examined through historical and linguistic evidence.
Also Has Been Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Has additionally been | Has been true or has occurred in addition to another fact |
| Has likewise been | Has been true in the same or a similar way |
| Has been as well | Has been true in addition to another circumstance; often more conversational |
| Has further been | Has additionally been; mostly used in formal writing |
Has Also Been Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Has additionally been | Has been true or has occurred as an additional fact |
| Has likewise been | Has been true in a similar way or to a similar degree |
| Has further been | Has also been; a formal alternative often used in reports |
| Has been as well | Has been true in addition to another statement or condition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “also has been” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Also has been” is grammatically correct, although “has also been” is usually more natural in neutral English prose.
Question 2: Is “has also been” better than “also has been”?
In most sentences, yes. “Has also been” follows the common pattern of placing an adverb after the first auxiliary verb. However, “also has been” can be appropriate for emphasis or parallel structure.
Question 3: Should I write “the company also has been” or “the company has also been”?
“The company has also been” is generally the smoother choice: “The company has also been profitable.” “The company also has been profitable” is still correct and may be selected for contrast or emphasis.
Conclusion
Both “also has been” and “has also been” are valid, but “has also been” is normally the preferred word order in standard English. Place also after has for the most natural phrasing, and use also has been when a contrastive or emphatic structure calls for it. Pro Tip: Choosing the smoother construction in professional writing improves clarity and protects your credibility.
