Have Been Awarded vs. Was Awarded – Which is Correct?

Both “have been awarded” and “was awarded” are grammatically correct passive voice constructions. The crucial distinction lies in the verb tense and the implications for timing and relevance. “Have been awarded” uses the present perfect passive, signifying an action completed in the past with ongoing relevance or an indefinite past. “Was awarded” uses the simple past passive, referring to a specific, completed event in the past.

Have Been Awarded or Was Awarded – Which is Correct?

The choice between “have been awarded” and “was awarded” hinges entirely on the timeframe and the speaker’s emphasis. Both phrases correctly use the passive voice, where the subject receives the action of being awarded, rather than performing it. However, they belong to different tenses, which dictates their appropriate usage.

“Have been awarded” is in the present perfect passive tense. This tense is used for actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past, or actions that began in the past and continue to have relevance in the present. It emphasizes the result or the fact that the award has been received at some point up to now.

“Was awarded” is in the simple past passive tense. This tense refers to an action that was completed at a specific, definite point in the past. The time of the award is either stated explicitly or is clearly understood from the context.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To easily distinguish when to use each phrase, apply the “Ongoing Relevance” trick:

• If the award happened at some point in the past and its effect or the fact of receiving it is still relevant now, or the exact time isn’t specified, use “have been awarded.” (Think: “Has it happened *by now*?”)
• If the award happened at a specific, finished point in the past, and you’re focusing on that particular moment, use “was awarded.” (Think: “Did it happen *then*?”)

Phrase	Tense & Voice	Meaning	Example
have been awarded	Present Perfect Passive	An award was received at an unspecified past time, or its effect continues to be relevant in the present.	“She has been awarded several grants for her research.”
was awarded	Simple Past Passive	An award was received at a specific or clearly understood point in the past.	“He was awarded the medal last year.”

How to Use Have Been Awarded

“Have been awarded” is the present perfect passive form of the verb “to award.” It is used when the action of awarding occurred at some point in the past, but the exact time is not specified, is not important, or the action has a direct connection or ongoing relevance to the present moment. This construction often emphasizes the result of the action rather than the action itself or the awarder. It’s suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Example 1: The university’s research team has been awarded a major grant for their innovative work on renewable energy.

Example 2: Since its inception, the foundation’s scholarship has been awarded to over a hundred deserving students across the nation.

Example 3: I’m thrilled to announce that our project has been awarded first prize in the national competition.

What are the different forms of Awarded?

The core verb here is “to award.” In the phrase “have been awarded,” “awarded” is the past participle. The “have been” part constitutes the present perfect tense of the auxiliary verb “to be,” which, combined with the past participle, forms the present perfect passive voice. The auxiliary verb “have/has” changes to agree with the subject:

• I/You/We/They have been awarded
• He/She/It has been awarded

Etymology of the word Award

The word “award” traces its roots back to Old French, specifically from “awarder,” meaning “to grant, adjudge, sentence.” This in turn comes from “a-” (meaning “to”) and “warder” (meaning “to guard, observe”). Its original sense in the 13th century was “to assign by judicial decision,” evolving to its modern meaning of bestowing a prize or honor by the 17th century.

How to Use Was Awarded

“Was awarded” is the simple past passive form of the verb “to award.” This construction is used when the action of awarding took place at a specific, definite time in the past, and that action is now completed. The time might be explicitly stated (e.g., “last year,” “in 2023”) or clearly understood from the context. It focuses on the completion of the past event. This form is common in both formal and casual settings.

Example 1: She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 for her profound literary contributions.

Example 2: The contract for the new city park was awarded to the lowest bidder last month after a thorough review process.

Example 3: Back in college, he was awarded a scholarship for his exceptional athletic achievements and academic record.

What are the different forms of Awarded?

In the phrase “was awarded,” “awarded” is the past participle of the verb “to award.” The “was” part is the simple past tense of the auxiliary verb “to be.” Together, “was/were” + past participle forms the simple past passive voice. The auxiliary verb “was/were” changes to agree with the subject:

• I/He/She/It was awarded
• You/We/They were awarded

Etymology of the word Award

The word “award” originates from Old French “awarder,” meaning “to grant, adjudge, sentence.” It is derived from “a-” (meaning “to”) combined with “warder” (meaning “to guard, observe”). Historically, in the 13th century, it meant “to assign by judicial decision,” and by the 17th century, it had developed into its current meaning of bestowing a prize or honor.

Related Concepts

Understanding these broader grammatical concepts can help clarify the nuances between “have been awarded” and “was awarded.”

• Passive Voice: Both phrases are in the passive voice, which means the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performs it. Instead of “The committee awarded her the prize,” we say “She was awarded the prize” (by the committee).
• Verb Tenses (Simple Past vs. Present Perfect): The core difference lies in the tense. The simple past (was awarded) describes actions completed at a specific past time. The present perfect (have been awarded) describes actions completed at an indefinite past time or actions that started in the past and continue to affect the present.
• Aspect: Verb aspect describes the flow of time or the state of an action. The present perfect (perfect aspect) emphasizes the completion of an action or its ongoing relevance, bridging the past to the present. The simple past (simple aspect) presents an action as a single, completed event in the past.

Examples from Media and Literature

Here are some real-world examples illustrating the correct usage of “have been awarded” and “was awarded”:

• “The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded annually since 1901 for outstanding contributions to peace.” (Emphasizes ongoing tradition and indefinite past)
• “In 2024, the local charity was awarded a significant grant to expand its community programs.” (Specific past time)
• “Many prestigious accolades have been awarded to the pioneering scientists for their groundbreaking discoveries over the years.” (Indefinite past, focus on the result over time)
• “The Academy Award for Best Picture was awarded to ‘Oppenheimer’ at the 96th Oscars ceremony.” (Specific past event)
• “Throughout her illustrious career, the author has been awarded numerous commendations for her insightful storytelling.” (Ongoing relevance of past actions leading up to the present)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word or phrase to complete the sentence.

1. The architect _______ the prestigious Pritzker Architecture Prize last year. (was awarded / has been awarded)
2. Since its establishment, the company _______ numerous accolades for its sustainable practices. (was awarded / has been awarded)
3. I heard that Sarah _______ a promotion recently! (was awarded / has been awarded)
4. The contract for the new city park _______ to a local landscaping firm yesterday. (was awarded / has been awarded)
5. Many honorary degrees _______ to distinguished individuals by this institution over the decades. (have been awarded / were awarded)

Answer Key

1. was awarded
2. has been awarded
3. has been awarded
4. was awarded
5. have been awarded

Award Synonyms

While “have been awarded” and “was awarded” are specific grammatical constructions, the core action verb “award” has several synonyms depending on the context of the giving or receiving.

Synonym	Definition
Granted	Given or bestowed, especially as an official privilege, right, or gift.
Bestowed	Conferred as a gift or honor. Often implies a formal or ceremonial giving.
Conferred	Granted (a title, degree, benefit, or right). Similar to bestowed but often more formal.
Presented	Given formally or ceremonially, often in front of an audience.
Recognized	Acknowledged for achievement, merit, or excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What is the main difference between “has been awarded” and “was awarded”?
The main difference is the tense and the implication of time. “Has been awarded” (present perfect passive) refers to an award received at an indefinite time in the past or an action completed in the past with ongoing relevance to the present. “Was awarded” (simple past passive) refers to an award received at a specific, completed time in the past.

Question 2: When should I use “have been awarded” versus “was awarded”?
Use “have been awarded” when the exact time of the award is not specified, when the action’s effect continues into the present, or when you’re discussing an award that has happened at some point up to now. Use “was awarded” when referring to an award received at a definite, completed point in the past, which is either stated or clearly understood from context.

Question 3: Can “have been awarded” be used for a singular subject?
Yes, but the auxiliary verb changes to “has.” For a singular subject, you would use “has been awarded” (e.g., “The prize has been awarded to her”). “Have been awarded” is used for plural subjects (e.g., “The students have been awarded scholarships”) or with “I,” “you,” “we,” and “they.”

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “have been awarded” and “was awarded” is key to precise communication in English. While both are grammatically sound passive constructions, “have been awarded” connects a past action to the present, emphasizing ongoing relevance or an unspecified past time. In contrast, “was awarded” firmly places the action in a specific, completed moment in the past. Choosing correctly allows you to convey not just what happened, but also its temporal context and significance.

Pro Tip: Always consider the timeline you wish to convey. If the award’s impact is still felt or its exact timing is secondary, opt for “have been awarded.” If you’re recounting a specific historical event or a completed action, “was awarded” is the appropriate choice. Using these phrases accurately enhances clarity and professionalism in your writing.