Jimalton's comments

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Grammar.com
In your sentence, "have
been", of course, is the present perfect which when used as a verb
indicates some activity or state that has recently completed. In your
sentence the verb is the past passive "was meant"; and "to have been" is
in the form of a verb but is not performing as a verb but as a
preposition conveying more meaning than the alternative preposition
"as" such as that the surprise was not surprising, whereas "as" would
not convey that meaning. 

2 years ago

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Quiz

Are you a grammar master?

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Identify the sentence with correct use of the conditional type 2:
A If I would have known, I would have come.
B If it rains tomorrow, I will stay home.
C If he called, I will answer.
D If they had studied, they would have passed the exam.