As has been demonstrated

You’ll usually find this phrase at the very beginning of a sentence or as a sneaky little clause in the middle. It uses the present perfect passive voice (has been demonstrated), which is a fancy way of saying that the action happened in the past but the results are still totally relevant right now. Notice how there is no 'I' or 'we' in the phrase? That’s intentional. By removing the person, the statement feels like a universal truth that just exists in the world, like gravity or the fact that pizza is delicious. You might say, As has been demonstrated, the new software increases productivity by 20%. You are letting the data take center stage while you stay behind the curtain like a professional stage manager.

We are talking about the 'Final Boss' level of formality here. If formality were a scale from 1 to 10, this phrase is a 12. You will see it in PhD dissertations, legal briefs, scientific journals, and high-end video essays on YouTube (the kind with the dark backgrounds and the expensive microphones). You should almost never use this in a text message unless you are trying to be hilariously ironic. If you tell your roommate, As has been demonstrated, you never do the dishes, they might think you've been replaced by an AI or that you’re about to sue them for domestic negligence. It’s professional, cold, and incredibly sharp.

Imagine a CEO standing in front of a board of directors. They’ve just shown three slides of declining sales. They then say, As has been demonstrated by the quarterly data, we need to pivot our strategy immediately. It sounds much more 'leader-like' than saying 'Look at the charts, we're losing money!' Or imagine a nature documentary narrator explaining a bird's behavior: As has been demonstrated in several field studies, the alpha male always feeds first. It adds a layer of scientific legitimacy that makes the viewer trust every word. You’ll also find it in those long, intellectual debates on Reddit where someone is trying to prove they are the smartest person in the thread—just don't be that person too often.

Use this phrase when you are summarizing a point after providing actual evidence. If you haven't actually shown any proof yet, using this phrase will make you look like a charlatan (someone who fakes knowledge). It’s perfect for the conclusion of an essay, the 'takeaway' slide of a PowerPoint presentation, or a formal cover letter where you are connecting your past experience to the job requirements. It’s great for creating a sense of inevitability—like the conclusion you are about to state is the only logical choice left on the table. It builds a bridge between the 'what' (your data) and the 'so what' (your conclusion).

Avoid this phrase in any situation where you want to sound warm, fuzzy, or relatable. It is the opposite of 'vibe-checking.' Do not use it when talking to your partner about your feelings (As has been demonstrated, I am sad). That’s a fast track to a very awkward silence. Also, avoid using it if the 'demonstration' was just you saying something once. It requires real substance behind it. If you use it too often in one piece of writing, you’ll start to sound like a textbook from the 1950s—dry, dusty, and a bit boring. Moderation is key; save it for the big, important points you really want to drive home.

A very common slip-up for learners is getting the tense wrong. Some might say As have been demonstrated when they are talking about multiple things, but the 'it' is usually implied as a singular concept of 'what was shown.' Another mistake is saying As has demonstrated (leaving out the been). Without the been, you are saying the phrase itself performed the demonstration, which is logically impossible—unless the words themselves grew legs and started doing science experiments. Also, watch out for As it has been demonstrated. While not technically wrong, the 'it' is usually omitted in professional writing to keep the flow sleek and fast. Stick to the classic three-word version for the best results.

If as has been demonstrated feels a bit too heavy for your specific project, you have options! As shown previously is a slightly lighter version that still sounds professional. As evidenced by... is great if you want to immediately name the source of your proof. If you want to sound even more 'old-school' and academic, you could use As has been established. In very casual settings, we just say Like I said or As I showed you, but remember that these are like wearing sneakers to a gala—totally fine for the gym, but maybe not for the red carpet. For the truly bold, there’s the Latin Q.E.D. (Quod Erat Demonstrandum), but use that only if you want people to think you’re a math genius or a bit of a nerd.

Is this phrase only for writing? Not at all! It’s great for formal speeches, debates, or high-stakes meetings. Does it sound arrogant? It can, if you use it to dismiss people’s opinions. But if you use it to support a well-researched point, it just sounds competent. Can I use it in the first paragraph? Usually no, because you haven't demonstrated anything yet! It’s a 'middle' or 'end' of the story kind of phrase. Think of it as the 'climax' of your logical journey.