have been changed vs have changed

Both "have been changed" and "have changed" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Have been changed" is passive voice, indicating that something has been changed by someone or something else. On the other hand, "have changed" is active voice, indicating that the subject itself has made the change.

Last updated: March 22, 2024 • 1281 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to something that has been altered by an external force or agent.

"have been changed"

This phrase is used in passive voice to indicate that something has been altered by someone or something else. It is often used when the focus is on the action of changing rather than the doer of the action.

Examples:

The settings have been changed by the administrator.
The rules have been changed to accommodate the new members.
The plans have been changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Show examples from the web [+]

Defaults for the Dynamic Screening settings have been changed.
VAT declarations and statistics, which were previously dealt with by customs services have been changed.
Incidents, characters and timelines have been changed for dramatic purposes.
The minimum prices established have been changed to reflect the definitive findings of the investigation.
My security codes have been changed but not all of them.
The details have been changed to protect the innocent and sometimes the guilty.
Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.
The names of individuals and places have been changed or omitted to maintain privacy.
Names have been changed, longer time periods set, derogations allowed.
Lines that have been changed, modified, between source and destination.
The names of the people have been changed or omitted for security reasons.
Finally, technical specifications of road lighting appliances have been changed too.
The names of the two priests have been changed for obvious security reasons.
A must have for those who often deals with identifying files that have been changed.
The first feature detects if Chrome settings have been changed without user consent.
Some have been changed so much that they threw their TVs out.
The interior as well as the exterior have been changed.
The colors have been changed (from green to yellow), the deer is different than in the former emblem.
Retained in use by the various churches of the Anglican Communion, the Articles have been changed only as circumstances require.
As in the other narrative, most of the names have been changed.

Alternatives:

have been altered
have been modified
have been transformed
have been adjusted
have been revised

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English, especially when referring to a subject that has actively made a change.

"have changed"

This phrase is used in active voice to indicate that the subject itself has made a change. It is often used when the focus is on the doer of the action rather than the action itself.

Examples:

I have changed my mind about the project.
She has changed her hairstyle for the party.
The company has changed its policies regarding remote work.

Show examples from the web [+]

Our options have changed, so please listen carefully.
Second, the practice of patent-holding companies have changed.
I know teaching methods have changed...
Times have changed, Mr. Super Cop.
The NSA agents have changed their agenda.
Guns have changed hands so many times since the original owner, practically untraceable.
The medium and long term prospects have changed.
Over the years my feelings have changed.
But obviously the circumstances have changed.
Things have changed since Berger arrived.
Business organisations have got smaller, methods of communication have changed.
Europe's security needs have changed.
And whether you admit it or not, things have changed.
That samurai is long gone, times have changed.
Well, the circumstances have changed.
- Things have changed, Jane.
Things have changed... and I accept that.
I can see times have changed.
I can see times have changed.
Because whistle-blower laws have changed a lot in the last few years.

Alternatives:

have made changes
have altered
have modified
have transformed
have adjusted

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have been changed vs have changed