"have been formed" vs "were formed"

Question

"have been formed" vs "were 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 actions that started in the past and continue into the present.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

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.

Alternatives:

have been created
have come into existence
have originated

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.

Alternatives:

were created
came into existence
originated

Answer 1

have been formed

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

Answer 2

were formed

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

"have been formed" vs "were formed"

have been formed

were formed

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