was fixed vs has been fixed

Both "was fixed" and "has been fixed" are correct, but their usage is different. "Was fixed" is used to describe an action that was completed at a specific time in the past, while "has been fixed" is used to indicate a past action that has relevance in the present moment.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: September 11, 2024 • 17719 views

was fixed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe a past action that was completed at a specific time in the past.

Use "was fixed" to talk about something that was repaired or resolved in the past, without any connection to the present moment.

Examples:

The car was fixed yesterday.
The leak in the roof was fixed last week.

Show examples from the web [+]

Under these circumstances, the price was fixed at NOK 0,135 per kWh.
After intensive negotiations, the sales price was fixed at EUR 328 million.
That could not be foreseen when the time was fixed for the meeting of your delegation.
The subsequent stage in opening the market in postal services was fixed as of 1 January 2007.
Series starts in January 1993; prior to that date the rate was fixed at 0,5
The lowest denomination was fixed at Euros 5.
Regarding the issue of new indicators, I wish to underline that the cohesion policy framework was fixed from 2007-2013.
The equity was fixed at approximately 40 %, which was comparable to other similar companies.
This limit was fixed by the regulation of January 1992.
The corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals was fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 820/2005 [2].
Thus, the price was fixed at NOK 0,135 per kWh from 14 May 2001 to 31 March 2006.
Under Regulation (EC) No 2125/95, the customs quota for imports of preserved mushrooms from China was fixed as 22750 tonnes annually.
(1) The corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals was fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2005 [2].
The corrective amount applicable to the refund on cereals was fixed by Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2005.
Following the agreement on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013, the total budget of the programme was fixed at EUR 190 Mio (2004 figures).
Prices shall be adjusted to allow for any deviations from the description or quality for which the threshold price was fixed.
In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001, the world market price for unginned cotton was fixed periodically during the 2005/06 marketing year.
The remuneration for the State guarantee was fixed at 20 basis points, taking into consideration the collateral presented by BPP.
In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1051/2001, the world market price for unginned cotton was fixed periodically during the 2004/05 marketing year.
The rate of return was fixed by using the Capital Asset Pricing Model after having compared other competing real estate companies.

Alternatives:

got fixed
was repaired
was resolved
was mended
was corrected

has been fixed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate a past action that has relevance to the present moment.

Use "has been fixed" to describe something that was repaired or resolved in the past and still has an impact on the present situation.