Today, I’m sharing a quick and easy lesson to help you understand the difference between “is” and “has been“—two tricky terms that often confuse beginners. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with clear explanations and examples!
What’s This Lesson About?
In this post, we’ll dive into:
- When to use “is” (present simple tense).
- When to use “has been” (present perfect tense, passive voice).
- Why these matter for clear communication.
1. “Is” – For Current States
Use “is” when you’re talking about something that’s true right now or describes a current condition.
- Example: “The website is updated.”
This means the website is currently in an updated state. No focus on who did it or when—it’s just the way things are now. - When to use: For facts, descriptions, or states that are true at this moment.
2. “Has Been” – For Actions with Present Impact
Use “has been” when you’re talking about an action that happened in the past but still matters now. It’s part of the present perfect tense (passive voice), which shows something was done and has a result today.
- Example: “The website has been updated.”
This tells us someone updated the website (past action), and it’s now in a new, improved state (present relevance). - When to use: To highlight a completed action that affects the present.
Quick Example to Compare
- “The page is updated.” → The page is in a good, current state.
- “The page has been updated.” → Someone worked on it, and now it’s fresh and ready.
Why This Matters
Using “is” or “has been” correctly helps your writing sound natural and clear. Imagine saying, “The app are update” (wrong!) instead of “The app has been updated” (correct!). Small grammar choices make a big difference in how others understand you.
Try quick practice:
- Which is correct? “The blog __ ready” or “The blog __ been made ready”?
- Answer: “The blog is ready” (current state) or “The blog has been made ready” (action completed with present result).