Was Written vs. Has Been Written – Which is Correct?
“Was written” and “has been written” are both grammatically correct passive constructions. Use “was written” for a completed action in the past, especially with a finished time period. Use “has been written” for an action completed recently, at an unspecified time, or with a connection to the present. The choice depends on context.
Was Written or Has Been Written – Which is Correct?
Both “was written” and “has been written” are correct. They are passive-voice forms of the verb write, but they use different tenses.
The spelling distinction also matters when comparing Written vs. Writen, since “written” is the correct past participle.
“Was written” is the simple past passive. It describes something completed in the past, usually during a finished period or at a stated past time.
“Has been written” is the present perfect passive. It describes something completed before now when the exact time is not stated, or when the result remains relevant in the present. It can also refer to a period that continues up to now.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the finished-time test. If you can add a finished past-time expression such as yesterday, last year, or in 2019, choose “was written.” If the time is unknown, unimportant, or connected to the present, choose “has been written.”
For example, “The report was written last Friday” names a finished past time. “The report has been written” focuses on its current existence or availability rather than when it was completed.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| was written | Simple past passive verb phrase | Something was written during a completed past time | The letter was written in 2022. |
| has been written | Present perfect passive verb phrase | Something has been completed before now, with present relevance | The letter has been written and is ready to send. |
How to Use Was Written
“Was written” uses the simple past form of be followed by the past participle written. It is used with a singular subject, such as the book, the article, or the message. With plural subjects, use “were written.”
This construction is appropriate when the writing happened at a definite point in the past or within a finished time period. It is common in biographies, historical accounts, literary analysis, reports, and everyday descriptions.
Example 1: The novel was written during the author’s time in Paris.
Example 2: The email was written yesterday but was not sent until this morning.
Example 3: The speech was written by a professional political adviser.
Etymology of the phrase was written
The phrase combines was, the past-tense singular form of the Old English verb related to be, with written, the past participle of write. The verb write comes from Old English writan, meaning “to scratch, score, or inscribe.” English developed the passive pattern by combining a form of be with a past participle.
How to Use Has Been Written
“Has been written” uses the present perfect passive. It consists of has, been, and written. Use it with a singular subject or with an uncountable noun. With plural subjects, use “have been written.”
Choose this phrase when the exact time is not given, when the writing has a result that matters now, or when the action occurred within a time period that is still continuing. It often appears with words such as already, just, recently, yet, and so far.
Example 1: The final chapter has been written, so the editor can begin reviewing the manuscript.
Example 2: A great deal has been written about the scientist’s discovery.
Example 3: The proposal has been written but still needs to be approved.
Etymology of the phrase has been written
This phrase combines has, the third-person singular form of have, with been, the past participle of be, and written, the past participle of write. The present perfect developed from the use of have with a past participle, while the passive meaning comes from adding be and another past participle.
Related Concepts
Understanding tense and voice makes the difference between these two expressions much easier to recognize.
- Passive voice: A passive construction emphasizes the person or thing affected by an action rather than the person who performed it. In “The article was written by Maya,” the article receives the action.
- Simple past tense: The simple past presents an action as completed in a finished past period. It commonly appears with expressions such as last week, in 2018, or two days ago.
- Present perfect tense: The present perfect connects a past action with the present. It is generally used without a specific finished past-time expression.
- Past participle: Written is the past participle of the irregular verb write. It appears in both phrases, but the helping verbs determine the tense.
Examples from Media and Literature
Writers commonly choose between these phrases according to whether they are describing a completed historical event or emphasizing a present result.
- Historical biography: “The biography was written in the early twentieth century.” The finished period makes the simple past appropriate.
- Literary criticism: “Many essays have been written about the novel’s unusual structure.” The focus is on the body of criticism that exists now.
- News reporting: “The statement was written after the meeting on Tuesday.” The report identifies a completed past event.
- Publishing: “The author’s latest manuscript has been written and is now with the publisher.” The current status is more important than the completion date.
- Historical fiction: “The letter was written during the war.” The phrase places the writing within a completed historical period.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase to complete each sentence: was written or has been written.
- The report ______ last month.
- A great deal ______ about the effects of climate change.
- The note ______ yesterday, but nobody delivered it.
- The first draft ______, so we can begin the editing process.
- The famous speech ______ in 1963.
Answer Key
- was written — “Last month” refers to a finished past period.
- has been written — The statement refers to writing completed over time with present relevance.
- was written — “Yesterday” is a specific finished time.
- has been written — The current result, the completed draft, is emphasized.
- was written — “In 1963” identifies a completed past time.
Was Written Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| was composed | Was created in written form, often referring to a formal or artistic work |
| was drafted | Was prepared as an initial version of a document |
| was authored | Was created by a particular writer |
| was recorded | Was put into written form for preservation or reference |
Has Been Written Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| has been composed | Has been created in written form, often with care or artistic purpose |
| has been drafted | Has been prepared as a preliminary version |
| has been authored | Has been created by a named or identifiable writer |
| has been documented | Has been recorded in writing for evidence or future reference |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “was written” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Was written” is the simple past passive form and is correct for a completed writing action in the past.
Question 2: Is “has been written” grammatically correct?
Yes. “Has been written” is the present perfect passive form. Use it when the exact time is unspecified or when the completed writing has relevance now.
Question 3: Can “was written” and “has been written” be used interchangeably?
Not always. “Was written” normally requires or implies a finished past time, while “has been written” connects the action to the present and generally does not accompany a specific finished-time expression.
Conclusion
“Was written” and “has been written” are both correct, but they express different time relationships. Use “was written” for a completed action in a finished past period, and use “has been written” when the time is unspecified or the result matters now. Pro Tip: Choosing the correct tense makes professional writing clearer and strengthens your credibility.
