The phrase "have been taken" is an example of the present perfect passive tense in English. It combines the auxiliary verbs "have" (or "has") and "been" with the past participle "taken."
Structure
Subject + have/has + been + past participle
Example: The books have been taken to the library.
Common Uses
- To describe actions completed recently with present relevance.
- To emphasize the result rather than who performed the action.
- In formal or neutral contexts where the doer is unknown or unimportant.
Examples
- All the cookies have been taken!
- My phone has been taken for repair.
- Several measures have been taken to improve safety.
Related Grammar Topics
If you're learning this phrase, you might also want to explore: Passive Voice, Present Perfect Tense, and the verb "take".