“Is Used” vs. “Has Been Used” vs. “Was Used” – Understanding the Correct Usage

While teaching English, I’ve noticed many learners struggle to tell when “is used,” “has been used,” or “was used” fits best in a sentence. Each form belongs to a specific verb tense, carrying a slightly different meaning depending on time, context, and action. The present tense—as in “is used”—shows something happening now or generally true. 

For example, “This method is used in schools.” The present perfect tense, expressed through “has been used,” connects the past and present, as in “This tool has been used for decades.” Meanwhile, “was used” anchors the action in a specific frame of the past, like “This technique was used by ancient builders.” Once you see the shade of meaning behind each phrase, the grammar maze starts to make clarity click.

When writing or speaking, using the correct form helps maintain professionalism and avoids awkward or misleading expressions. I often guide students through examples, comparisons, and mini-exercises to help them practice proper usage. Together, we break down these passive voice constructions step-by-step, learning how to spot the auxiliary verb, subject, and object in each sentence.

Whether you’re typing with your fingers on keys, holding a pen in hand, or crafting emails, the goal is to sound polished, clear, and grammatically correct. Once you master the passive construction, you’ll sharpen your style, fix problems in writing, and convey facts with rhythm, expression, and confidence—just like a powerful communicator who knows the difference between every form and its proper time reference.

Why “Is Used,” “Has Been Used,” and “Was Used” Cause Confusion

At first glance, these three phrases seem to talk about the same thing — something “used” by someone or for something. But that’s only half the story. The key lies in the verb tense and the time reference behind each form.

For instance:

• “This app is used by students.” → Talking about now (present).
• “This app has been used by students for years.” → Started in the past, still true now.
• “This app was used by students last year.” → Happened before, not anymore.

Each phrase paints a slightly different timeline. And that timeline determines how your sentence sounds — formal, current, historical, or continuous.

Understanding Verb Tense and Voice in English

Before diving into the specific phrases, let’s refresh two key ideas: tense and voice.

Tense = Time

Verb tense shows when something happens:

• Past: it already happened.
• Present: it’s happening now.
• Future: it will happen later.

Voice = Who Does the Action

There are two main voices:

• Active voice: The subject performs the action.
  “Teachers use this book.”
• Passive voice: The subject receives the action.
  “This book is used by teachers.”

In our examples, all three phrases — “is used,” “has been used,” and “was used” — are passive voice. That’s why they look similar. What changes is the tense, which changes the time frame.

Here’s a quick visual summary:

Tense	Example	Time Frame	Common Use
Present (is used)	The app is used daily.	Now / Habitual	Ongoing actions
Present Perfect (has been used)	The app has been used since 2020.	Past → Present	Ongoing or still relevant
Past (was used)	The app was used last year.	Completed past	Finished actions

Understanding this table is the foundation for mastering the difference.

“Is Used” – The Present Passive Form

The phrase “is used” is in the present tense and the passive voice. It describes something that happens regularly, is happening now, or is generally true.

Meaning and Function

• It shows current or habitual use.
• It often explains how or why something is used.
• It’s common in instructions, scientific facts, and general truths.

Examples

• “This tool is used to measure temperature.”
• “English is used in international business.”
• “Plastic is used for packaging food products.”

In all these examples, the action is ongoing or true in general, not tied to one specific time.

Common Phrases

You’ll often find “is used” in patterns like:

• is used for + noun → “is used for cleaning.”
• is used to + verb → “is used to record data.”
• is used by + person → “is used by engineers.”

Mini Case Study

Case Study: In modern classrooms, technology is used daily to enhance learning.
From interactive whiteboards to learning apps, the passive form highlights the tool, not the person. That’s why the passive voice fits perfectly here—it focuses on what’s being used rather than who’s using it.

“Has Been Used” – The Present Perfect Passive

Now let’s look at “has been used.”
This form connects the past to the present. It shows that something started happening earlier and still matters now.

Meaning and Function

• It expresses continuity — something began in the past and continues into the present.
• It’s useful when the exact time isn’t important, but the result still affects today.
• It often appears in reports, academic writing, and historical discussions.

Examples

• “This method has been used in research for over a decade.”
• “The vaccine has been used safely worldwide.”
• “Online learning has been used increasingly since 2020.”

Time Expressions That Fit

You’ll usually see “has been used” with:

• for (duration): “for years,” “for decades.”
• since (starting point): “since 2010,” “since ancient times.”
• recently, lately, or ever to show ongoing relevance.

Common Collocations

• has been used in (a process or field)
• has been used to (achieve a purpose)
• has been used by (a group or person)

Case Study

Case Study: Solar panels have been used since the mid-20th century to convert sunlight into energy.
Even though the technology began decades ago, it’s still relevant today — making “has been used” the perfect tense.

“Was Used” – The Simple Past Passive

Finally, “was used” describes a completed past action. It focuses on something that happened once or repeatedly in the past, but not anymore.

Meaning and Function

• Indicates past, finished use.
• There’s no connection to the present.
• Often found in historical, scientific, or narrative contexts.

Examples

• “This method was used in early chemistry experiments.”
• “The term was used to describe old computing systems.”
• “The old building was used as a hospital during the war.”

Typical Time Markers

Words that signal the past:

• Yesterday
• Last year
• In 1990
• Once / Formerly / Before

Common Patterns

• was used to + verb
  “It was used to calculate results.”
• was used for + noun
  “It was used for testing materials.”
• was used by + person
  “It was used by early scientists.”

Case Study

Case Study: Before digital photography, film was used to capture images.
The phrase “was used” makes it clear — this was true in the past but not now.

Also Read This: 30 Other Ways to Say “Enjoy Your Lunch”(With Examples)

Comparing “Is Used,” “Has Been Used,” and “Was Used”

Let’s bring them together side by side.

Form	Tense	Time Focus	Ongoing?	Example	Meaning
Is Used	Present Passive	Now / Habit	Yes	“This tool is used for cleaning.”	Current or regular use
Has Been Used	Present Perfect Passive	Past → Present	Yes	“This tool has been used for decades.”	Ongoing relevance
Was Used	Past Passive	Completed past	No	“This tool was used before automation.”	Finished action

Simple Way to Remember

Ask yourself:

1. Is it true now? → Use is used.
2. Did it start before and still true? → Use has been used.
3. Did it happen before and now it’s over? → Use was used.

Example in Context

Situation	Correct Form	Example Sentence
Talking about current habits	is used	“The app is used daily by teachers.”
Talking about continuous use since past	has been used	“The app has been used since 2015.”
Talking about something no longer done	was used	“The app was used before smartphones became common.”

Common Mistakes Learners Make

Even advanced learners stumble over these. Here are some of the most frequent mix-ups — and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Mixing Tenses in the Same Context

“The system was used since 2010.”
“The system has been used since 2010.”

Reason: The word “since” implies ongoing use, so the present perfect tense fits better.

Mistake 2: Using “was used” for Current Facts

“English was used in the United Nations.”
“English is used in the United Nations.”

Reason: It’s still true now, so present tense works.

Mistake 3: Forgetting Time Relevance

Learners often forget that tense isn’t just grammar — it’s storytelling. The right tense places the reader exactly when the action happens.

“This product has been used in hospitals” → still true.
“This product was used in hospitals” → not anymore.

Tips to Remember the Difference

1. Use Simple Mnemonics

• Is = Now → Present use
• Has been = Past continuing to now
• Was = Past only

The placement tells you the time connection.

3. Think of Real Examples

• Is used: “Electricity is used everywhere.”
• Has been used: “Electricity has been used for over a century.”
• Was used: “Electricity was used differently in the 1800s.”

4. Don’t Rely on Direct Translation

Many languages express time differently, which can confuse learners. Always think time + relevance, not just words.

Real-World Applications

Using the right verb tense isn’t just about grammar—it affects how clear and professional your writing sounds.

Academic Writing

Researchers prefer “has been used” to show ongoing relevance:

“This model has been used in multiple studies to predict outcomes.”

Business Communication

In reports or product descriptions:

“This feature is used by major clients worldwide.”
“The earlier system was used before the upgrade.”

Everyday Speech

Even in conversation, tense matters:

“That app was used a lot during the pandemic.”
“It has been used by millions since then.”

Small changes like these help you sound accurate and natural.

Quick Reference Chart: Summary of Key Differences

Expression	Tense	Meaning	Example	Time Focus
Is Used	Present	Current or habitual use	“English is used worldwide.”	Now
Has Been Used	Present Perfect	Past → Present continuity	“This method has been used for years.”	Past & Present
Was Used	Past	Completed action	“It was used before automation.”	Past

Conclusion

Mastering “is used,” “has been used,” and “was used” might seem like walking through a grammar maze, but once you understand the time, context, and form, everything starts to make sense. Each phrase reflects a different verb tense and helps you express the right shade of meaning in your writing or speech. Remember, “is used” fits the present, “has been used” connects past and present, and “was used” sits firmly in the past. With practice, examples, and a clear understanding of proper usage, you’ll soon feel confident crafting grammatically correct, polished, and professional sentences that show your command of English style and clarity.

FAQs

Q1: What’s the main difference between “is used” and “was used”?

A: “Is used” describes something happening now or generally true, while “was used” refers to an action completed in the past.

Q2: When should I use “has been used”?

A: Use “has been used” when you want to show a connection between the past and present, such as describing a technique or tool that started earlier and continues to be relevant.

Q3: Why is it important to know these forms?

A: Understanding these verb tenses improves clarity, accuracy, and professionalism in your writing and speaking, helping you avoid awkward or misleading phrasing.

Q4: Are “is used,” “has been used,” and “was used” interchangeable?

A: No, they’re not. Each one reflects a different time reference and context, so choose based on whether the action is present, ongoing, or past.

Q5: How can I practice using them correctly?

A: Try mini-exercises, review examples, and write short sentences using all three forms. Over time, this practice will help you sharpen your understanding of passive voice and verb tense.