were formed vs have been formed

Both "were formed" and "have been formed" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Were formed" is used to describe actions or events that took place in the past, while "have been formed" is used to indicate that actions happened in the past and are still relevant in the present situation.

Explained by Vince
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 17, 2025 • 5281 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe actions or events that took place in the past.

"were formed"

Use "were formed" when referring to actions or events that were completed in the past. This phrase is in the past simple tense.

Examples:

The company was formed in 1990.
The team were formed last year.
The mountains were formed millions of years ago.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mental globes of the planets were formed on the first Planetary Wheel.
Under the impulsion of the Russian revolution, communist parties were formed in other lands.
Parliaments were formed to facilitate the tax-collecting function.
Faculty of Economics and departments of Civil Engineering, Ecology and Labour Safety were formed.
In all developmental studies neutralising antibodies were formed, which may have inhibited romiplostim effects.
These soils were formed on various petrographical-geological substrates.
The first and greatest historical transformation occurred when city-states were formed in agricultural societies.
Learn their ancient ancestral legends of how the rivers and valleys were formed.
They were formed by uplift of the seabed.
They were formed into cunei by three via.
A quintet from Rome, The Pennies were formed in 1967.
They were formed somehow in the earlier solar system.
By this reason, when the first kingdoms of Germanics, Franks and Visigoths were formed, customs about hair dressings will be brought by them.
Asuma Rimna from Chieti were formed in 1973 and played together until 1978 with an intense live activity mainly in their area.
For defense, families, clans, nations, codes and even societies of protection and mutual help were formed.
Eight groups of the young people were formed, in order to worry themselves and on the three days of activities participate the program.
Popularly known as "salt roots," those crystalloids were formed over tens of millions of years.
Straw yield was slightly higher with the CULTAN system, since more stalks per unit of area were formed.
Starting a few years prior to that apparently now distant January 1, in the Zapatista communities the so-called "reserve battalions" were formed.
As a result two national organizations were formed.

Alternatives:

were created
came into existence
originated

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate actions that started in the past and continue into the present.

"have been formed"

Use "have been formed" when referring to actions or events that began in the past and have relevance to the present. This phrase is in the present perfect tense.

Examples:

The committee have been formed to address the issue.
The rules have been formed over many years.
Many alliances have been formed in the region.

Show examples from the web [+]

More recently choirs for younger people have been formed.
Industrial agrifood empires have been formed thanks to public funding.
Division level Janatana Sarkars have been formed and are working in DK.
Many political and trade-union leaders have been formed at Silveira House, which now can nudge the Government and the Unions back to dialogue.
Thousands of people from different cultures and religions have been formed in this place, thanks to summer courses and formation seminars promoted by the movement.
Small lagoons have been formed in it; it is appropriate for rowing tours and recreation.
Many voluntary organizations have been formed and is working to reduce the mortality of aquatic mammals in the network.
Some are held upright in pits 5 feet (1.5 m) deep, trunk end down, and arches have been formed by welding automobiles atop the supporting models.
This devotion has spread to other churches and countries, and confraternities have been formed to cultivate it.
As will be seen, food habits have been formed over the years depending on the type of raw materials available in a region.
Under the pretext of the Holocaust, a very strong polarization has taken place in the world and fronts have been formed.
A Constitution and By-laws were adopted, and since that date numerous Societies have been formed throughout the United States.
Paper-based microfluidic devices (µPAD) have been formed which allow multiple bioassays to be conducted simultaneously.
The modder also modified the diplomatic alignments among the 8 countries that have been formed in this way.
Therefore, the Romanians have been formed on a vast territory that extends north and south of the Danube, encompassing the former Roman province of Dacia and Moesia.
At two sites in Austria, automotive clusters have been formed in which innovations for new products or production processes are inspired by easier collaboration between the companies.
In addition to the organic mergers of separate bodies that have taken place, movements of federation, councils for cooperation, and coalitions for common tasks have been formed.
The earth is said to have been formed about 400 million after the sun formed, ie 4.6 billion years ago.
Powerful groups have been formed that will back up the people of the Light, who are striving for "Disclosure" and much progress has been made.
as soon as all the candlesticks have been formed, open a trade

Alternatives:

have been created
have come into existence
have originated

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were formed vs have been formed

"were formed"

"have been formed"

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