Is Used vs Has Been Used vs Was Used: Mastering English Verb Tense Clarity

In my classes, I show how Is Used vs Has Been Used vs Was Used helps learners see how each form is used in a tense linked to the present, the facts behind habits, and what an app shows daily through actions still happening. This short idea reveals the true meaning across time, from the past and what has happened in the current moment, especially when a simple tool helps highlight the subtle differences that often feel tricky even for native English speakers.

Students feel more confident knowing exactly how each phrase works when I show real examples, comparisons, visuals, and tips that make ideas click, especially when dealing with a report, scheduling, or a meeting that requires choosing the right form. I’ve worked with seasoned professionals using calendars, bookings, broadcasting, or schedules in business communication, where the formal demands of project management require a careful tone and strong consistency.

Learners who once paused, wondering what to say, begin to choose the right structure and feel the impact as the article breaks things down and shows differences between forms that must align with a specific purpose to choose wisely and enhance time management. Sometimes I explain the history behind forms, how some became discontinued, or how old

Table of Contents

Why Verb Tense Mastery Matters in Real-World English

Verb tense is not just grammar—it’s meaning. Using the wrong tense can confuse your reader or listener about when an action happened, whether it’s still relevant, or who is responsible. For example, saying:

“This software is used by thousands of people”

signals ongoing usage, while:

“This software has been used by thousands of people”

adds emphasis on experience with present relevance. Misplacing tenses can make your writing seem inaccurate or unnatural.

Mastering these forms gives you confidence in emails, reports, academic writing, and conversations.

The Core Grammar Framework You Need Before Comparing the Forms

Understanding Time, Aspect, and Voice Together

English verbs carry time (past, present, future), aspect (simple, perfect, continuous), and voice (active or passive). Each element changes the nuance:

Time tells when the action occurs
Aspect shows whether the action is complete, ongoing, or repeated
Voice emphasizes the subject or the object

Passive voice often confuses learners because it swaps the usual subject-verb-object order. In passive sentences, the object becomes the focus.

Snapshot Table: Present, Perfect, and Past Passive Forms

Form	Structure	Meaning	Example
Is used	is/are + past participle	Present, general facts or habitual actions	“This tool is used in schools worldwide.”
Has been used	has/have + been + past participle	Past action with present relevance	“This method has been used to improve efficiency.”
Was used	was/were + past participle	Completed past action	“The old system was used before the upgrade.”

This table gives a quick reference to understand when each form fits best.

Passive Voice Essentials (Explained Simply and Accurately)

How Passive Voice Works

In passive constructions:

The subject receives the action rather than performing it
The doer (agent) may be included using “by” or left out for generality

Example:

Active: “Students use this software.”
Passive: “This software is used by students.”

Passive is not wrong—it’s strategic. Use it when the action or object matters more than the subject.

Why Passive Matters in Real Communication

Passive voice is common in:

Scientific writing (focus on process/results)
Business communication (neutral tone, avoids blaming individuals)
Everyday English (emphasis on the object or action)

For instance:

“The project has been completed successfully” sounds more professional than “We completed the project.”

Deep Dive Into Each Form

What “Is Used” Means (Present Simple Passive)

Structure: is/are + past participle
Meaning: describes general truths, habits, or systems
Key points:

Often accompanied by frequency words: always, usually, sometimes
Highlights ongoing relevance rather than a completed past action

Examples:

“This software is used in over 50 countries.”
“English is used as a second language worldwide.”
“Solar panels are used to generate clean energy.”

Tip: Use “is used” when the action is routine, repeated, or universally true.

When and Why to Use “Has Been Used” (Present Perfect Passive)

Structure: has/have + been + past participle
Meaning: past action with current relevance or evidence
Key points:

Emphasizes the experience or impact of the action
Often signals recent or ongoing influence

Examples:

“This technique has been used successfully in multiple experiments.”
“The software has been used by thousands of professionals to streamline tasks.”
“Vaccines have been used to prevent outbreaks effectively.”

Tip: Use “has been used” when past actions still matter in the present or when the focus is on outcome rather than timing.

What “Was Used” Really Tells the Reader (Simple Past Passive)

Structure: was/were + past participle
Meaning: completed past action; specific event
Key points:

Often accompanied by time markers like yesterday, last year, in 2020
Focuses on finished actions, not ongoing relevance

Examples:

“The old software was used before the new update.”
“This formula was used in 19th-century experiments.”
“The conference room was used for multiple workshops last week.”

Tip: Use “was used” for actions that belong entirely to the past.

Side-by-Side Comparisons That Eliminate Confusion

Structural Comparison Table

Form	Structure	Time Reference	Focus
Is used	is/are + past participle	Present, ongoing	Object or action
Has been used	has/have + been + past participle	Past → Present	Outcome, relevance
Was used	was/were + past participle	Past completed	Specific past event

Meaning Contrast Table

Sentence	Interpretation
“This tool is used daily.”	Habitual or current use
“This tool has been used to improve accuracy.”	Past use with current relevance
“This tool was used last year.”	Completed, historical use

Real-World Example Comparison Table

Context	Is Used	Has Been Used	Was Used
Software	“This app is used by students worldwide.”	“This app has been used by over 1 million students this year.”	“This app was used in schools five years ago.”
Tools	“Hammers are used for construction.”	“The hammer has been used for many successful projects.”	“The hammer was used in the old workshop.”

The Context Rules: How to Choose the Right Form Every Time

The Three-Question Decision Method

Is the action happening now or generally true? → use is used
Does the action have present relevance or impact? → use has been used
Is the action completed in the past with no current relevance? → use was used

Common Errors and Why They Happen

Mixing “Has Been Used” and “Was Used”

Learners often confuse perfect vs simple past because both refer to past events. Look for present relevance to decide.

Wrong: “This method was used for improving efficiency (but still relevant today).”
Correct: “This method has been used for improving efficiency.”

Overusing Passive Voice When Active Works Better

Passive can sound wordy or indirect. Use active voice when the subject matters more than the object.

Example:

Passive: “The report was written by the team.”
Active: “The team wrote the report.” (Clearer, concise)

Misreading Context Clues

Time markers and surrounding sentences guide tense selection:

Recently, today, already → has been used
Yesterday, last week → was used
Always, usually → is used

Grammar in Action: Real Usage Case Studies

Business Email

Passive use: “The software has been used by our team to track progress.”
Active alternative: “Our team has used the software to track progress.”

Tip: Passive conveys formality; active emphasizes the doer.

Academic & Research Writing

“This method is used to measure enzyme activity.” → general fact
“This method has been used in over 50 experiments this year.” → past with present relevance

Observation: Academic writing favors passive for neutrality and object focus.

Everyday Speaking

“This shampoo is used by my whole family.” → habitual
“This shampoo has been used since I bought it last month.” → past with current relevance
“This shampoo was used when I stayed at my friend’s house.” → completed past

Takeaway: Context determines natural phrasing.

Expert-Level Techniques for Confident Tense Selection

Scan for time markers: yesterday, recently, always, now
Detect implied timelines: consider the narrative perspective
Use signal words:
- Present relevance → “has been used”
- Past events → “was used”
- Habits/general truths → “is used”
Edit strategically: re-read sentences aloud; change tense if meaning shifts

Practice Section: Correct the Tense in Real Sentences

Exercise: Choose the correct form of is used, has been used, or was used.

“This technique ______ in laboratories worldwide.”
“The old printer ______ until last month.”
“These methods ______ to improve productivity recently.”
“Hammers ______ in every construction project.”
“The software ______ by thousands of professionals this year.”

Answer Key:

is used
was used
has been used
are used
has been used

Conclusion

Choosing between “is used,” “has been used,” and “was used” becomes simple once you understand the timeframe and purpose behind each phrase. You’re basically selecting whether the action is ongoing, recent with present relevance, or fully completed in the past. When you apply the right tense in business writing, reports, scheduling updates, emails, or formal documents, your message becomes clearer and more professional. These small differences shape how readers interpret processes, timelines, and responsibilities. So when you write your next report or schedule, you’ll know exactly which expression delivers the precision you need.

FAQs

1. What is the main difference between “is used” and “was used”?

“Is used” refers to something that happens now or regularly, while “was used” refers to something that happened in the past and is no longer true.