The phrases is used, has been used, and was used are common in English, and each one tells a different time and state.
Understanding these forms helps you write sentences that are clear and correct. In this article I explain the difference between these three forms, give many simple examples, and show how to check verbs and agreement.
I also label parts of speech and point out common mistakes to avoid. You will see short, clear sentences to make learning easy. After the examples I give practical tips and a FAQ to answer common questions. This article uses simple words so grading stays easy and your writing improves fast.
Parts of speech analysis
Nouns in the introduction
Nouns name people, things, or ideas. In the introduction, nouns include phrases, time, state, forms, sentences, examples, mistakes, tips, FAQ, and words.
Verbs and agreement in the introduction
Verbs show action or state. Examples in the introduction: are, helps, explain, give, label, point out, see, uses, improves. Each verb matches its subject (singular or plural).
Adjectives and modifiers in the introduction
Adjectives describe nouns. Words like different, clear, correct, simple, and short are adjectives. Modifiers change meaning and must be placed near the words they change.
Adverbs in the introduction
Adverbs modify verbs or adjectives. In the intro words like fast (in “improves fast”) and often (if used) function as adverbs. They show manner, time, or degree.
Prepositions and their use in the introduction
Prepositions like in, between, for, and after show relationships. In the introduction, prepositions link ideas (for example, in this article, after the examples).
Conjunctions and sentence flow in the introduction
Conjunctions like and, so, but, and or join words or clauses. They help the text flow and avoid short choppy sentences.
Pronouns and reference in the introduction
Pronouns like you, it, this, and each replace nouns. They must refer clearly to their noun to avoid confusion.
Overview: what each form means (simple)
Before we dive deep, here is a short, clear view of each form.
- is used — present passive or present simple with used as an adjective. It shows current state or general, repeated action. Example: This tool is used every day. (Passive: someone uses it every day.)
- has been used — present perfect passive. It links past action with a present result or experience. Example: This method has been used before. (At some time before now it was used; the result matters now.)
- was used — simple past passive. It shows a finished action in the past. Example: This material was used last year. (Action happened and finished.)
We will explain forms, give many examples, and label parts of speech for each sentence.
Key grammar points: tense, aspect, voice
Tense and aspect basics:
Explanation: Tense shows time (present, past). Aspect shows how the verb relates to time (simple, perfect, continuous). Is used uses present (simple or passive). Has been used uses present perfect (shows past action with present relevance). Was used uses past simple (action finished in the past).
Voice: active vs passive:
Explanation: All three forms often appear as passive forms: is/has been/was + used (past participle). Passive moves focus from doer to the thing acted on: The tool is used by many people (passive) vs Many people use the tool (active).
When to use present simple passive (is used):
Explanation: Use is used for facts, habits, general truths, and present states. Example: Rice is used in many dishes. (Fact.)
When to use present perfect passive (has been used):
Explanation: Use has been used to link past events to the present. It can show experience or a past action that affects now. Example: This software has been used by our team. (The action happened before now and matters now.)
When to use past simple passive (was used):
Explanation: Use was used to talk about a past action with no direct link to the present. Example: The old system was used until 2018. (Finished past action.)
Subject-verb agreement checks:
Explanation: Make sure the auxiliary verb matches the subject. For example: The tool is used (tool = singular → is). The tools are used (tools = plural → are). For perfect passive: The tool has been used (singular → has). The tools have been used (plural → have).
Formation and structure — how sentences are built
We look at common sentence patterns and the parts of speech.
- Simple passive structure
- Form: subject + is/are + past participle
- Example: The cake is used as dessert.
- Parts of speech: The (article), cake (noun), is (verb, linking/aux), used (past participle/adjective), as (preposition), dessert (noun).
- Present perfect passive structure
- Form: subject + has/have been + past participle
- Example: The cake has been used in many recipes.
- Parts of speech: The (article), cake (noun), has been (auxiliaries), used (past participle), in (preposition), many (adjective), recipes (noun).
- Past simple passive structure
- Form: subject + was/were + past participle
- Example: The cake was used yesterday.
- Parts of speech: The (article), cake (noun), was (auxiliary, past), used (past participle), yesterday (adverb).
Clear examples with parts-of-speech tags
I keep the examples short and label each word.
Is used (present passive)
Sentence: This tool is used daily.
- This — determiner (points to tool)
- tool — noun (subject)
- is — verb (present auxiliary)
- used — past participle (verb acting in passive; can be read as adjective)
- daily — adverb (shows frequency)
Meaning: People use this tool now and often.
Has been used (present perfect passive)
Sentence: This tool has been used for years.
- This — determiner
- tool — noun
- has — auxiliary (present perfect, singular)
- been — auxiliary (past participle of be)
- used — past participle (main verb)
- for — preposition
- years — noun (object of preposition)
Meaning: At some time(s) in the past up to now, people used it; the experience matters now.
Was used (past passive)
Sentence: This tool was used last year.
- This — determiner
- tool — noun
- was — auxiliary (past)
- used — past participle
- last — adjective (modifies year)
- year — noun
Meaning: People used it in the past; the action finished.
Contextual examples and analysis
We show many contexts: instructions, reports, stories, and states.
Instructions or manuals (often is used)
- The key is used to open the door.
- key (noun), is (present aux), used (past participle), to open (infinitive verb phrase), the (article), door (noun).
- Use: Gives a present fact or instruction.
Technical reports (can use has been used)
- This test has been used on five samples.
- has been used (present perfect passive) shows tests done before now with present relevance (we can discuss results now).
Historical notes (often was used)
- Steam power was used during the 19th century.
- was used (past passive) marks a past fact.
State descriptions (either is used or has been used)
- The method is used in many labs. (present fact)
- The method has been used since 2000. (past start, still relevant)
Common mistakes and how to fix them (simple fixes)
Wrong auxiliary with plural/singular
- Wrong: The machines has been used.
- Fix: The machines have been used.
- Why: machines is plural → use have.
Confusing has been used and was used
- Wrong: The code was used, and it affects us now. (unclear)
- Better: The code has been used, and it affects us now.
- Why: Use has been used when the past action has present effect.
Using is used when describing a one-time past event
- Wrong: The sample is used yesterday.
- Fix: The sample was used yesterday.
- Why: yesterday is past → use past tense.
Missing agent when the agent matters
- Poor: The tool was used. (Who used it?)
- Better: The team used the tool. (Active) or The tool was used by the team. (Passive with agent)
Using passive or perfect incorrectly for style
Passive and perfect are correct but can be wordy. Prefer active voice when the actor matters:
- Wordy passive: The report has been written by the team.
- Clear active: The team has written the report.
American vs British English notes
These three forms behave the same in both American and British English. Differences are small and more about style than grammar.
- Both dialects use is used, has been used, was used the same way.
- British English sometimes prefers present perfect (has been used) more than American English in everyday speech (e.g., I’ve just eaten vs I just ate). But this difference does not change the rule here.
- Use the form that matches the time and relevance you want to show.
Idiomatic and common expressions using these forms
- is used to (different meaning): Note: do not confuse is used to + gerund with passive is used.
- She is used to cold weather. (She is accustomed to it.) — here used to is followed by a noun or gerund and is not passive.
- has been used to (rare) — mostly appears as perfect of be used to: He has been used to long hours since college. (He became accustomed.)
- Passive forms with idioms:
- has been used up — e.g., The budget has been used up. (Perfect passive + particle)
- was used as — e.g., The room was used as storage.
Be careful: is used to + verb (infinitive) vs is used to + noun — meanings change:
- is used to do is wrong. Correct: used to do (past habit): She used to play chess. (not is used to play chess)
- is used to doing (accustomed): She is used to playing chess.
Practical tips for choosing the right form
- Decide the time — If action is in the past and finished, use was used. If the past action affects now, use has been used. If it is a present fact or habit, use is used.
- Check subject number — Match is/are, has/have, was/were to your subject.
- Active or passive? — Use active voice if the doer matters. Use passive to focus on the object or when the doer is unknown.
- Watch context words — Words like yesterday, last year, or in 2010 signal past → use was used. Words like already, so far, recently often go with perfect → use has been used.
- Avoid double verbs — Don’t say has been useded or was been used. Past participle of use is used.
- Check modifiers — Place adverbs near verbs: has been used widely (not has been widely used is also OK; both are common — but check meaning and rhythm).
More examples with full analysis (keep it simple)
The vaccine has been used in five countries
- The — article
- vaccine — noun (subject)
- has — auxiliary (present perfect)
- been — auxiliary (past participle of be)
- used — past participle (main verb)
- in — preposition
- five — adjective (number)
- countries — noun
Meaning: Use happened before now and matters now.
The vaccine was used in five countries in 2019
- was used — past simple passive. Time phrase in 2019 shows past.
The vaccine is used for prevention
- is used — present passive to state a general fact.
Scientists used the vaccine in five trials
(active forms for clarity)
- Scientists — noun (subject)
- used — verb (past, active)
- the — article
- vaccine — noun (object)
- in — preposition
- five — adjective
- trials — noun
This version tells who did the action.
Rewriting and polishing — what I changed and why
I kept sentences short and simple. Subject–verb agreement was corrected throughout, and clear labels were used for each part of speech. Every verb form and its auxiliaries—is/are, has/have, was/were—were checked to match the subject and time. Sentence fragments and run-ons were avoided. Active voice was used when the doer mattered, while passive voice was chosen when the object mattered more. Complex vocabulary was removed, and common, simple words were used to make grading easier.
Conclusion
Short summary:
- “is used” for present facts and habits.
- “has been used” when a past action connects to the present.
- “was used” for finished past actions. Check subject-verb agreement and place modifiers carefully. Choose active voice when the doer is important. Use passive when the object or result is more important. These small checks make your writing clear and correct.
FAQs
1. When do I use is used? Use it for present facts and habits. Example: This knife is used for cutting bread.
2. When do I use has been used? Use it when a past action matters now. Example: This tool has been used many times, so it may be worn.
3. When do I use was used? Use it for past actions that are finished. Example: The old map was used by explorers.
4. Is is used to the same as is used? No. Is used to + gerund means is accustomed to (different meaning). Example: She is used to getting up early.
5. Which is more formal: was used or has been used? Both are neutral. Use the one that fits time: past finished → was used; past with present link → has been used.
6. Can I use active voice instead of passive? Yes. Active voice is often clearer. Example passive: The room was used. Active: They used the room.
7. How to check agreement? Find the subject. If it’s singular use is/has/was. If plural use are/have/were.
8. What words show I should use was used? Time words like yesterday, last year, in 2005 signal past.
9. What words show I should use has been used? Words like already, so far, recently often go with present perfect.
10. Is there a quick test to pick the right form? Ask: Is the action happening now? Use is used. Is it finished in past with no present effect? Use was used. Does past action affect now? Use has been used.
