been in effect since

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been in effect since" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the starting point of a rule, law, or policy that has been active from a specific time onward. Example: "The new regulations have been in effect since January 1, 2020."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A moratorium has been in effect since then, he said.

The New York Times

But it has been in effect since then and has grown to more than $2 billion.

The New York Times

A hiring freeze has been in effect since the spring of 2008.

The New York Times

In Syria, emergency laws giving the police sweeping powers have been in effect since 1963.

The New York Times

The powers have been in effect since shortly after the Paris attacks.

Independent

The changes are being carried out slowly, though the decree has been in effect since the beginning of August.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

It's the result of not stepping up to circumstances that have been in effect since 2000".

The New York Times

The state's repair shop registration law has been in effect since 1975.

The New York Times

A smoking ban in public places has been in effect since 2007.

Independent

Those rules, which enjoined such sales, have been in effect since 2008.

The New York Times

Turkmenistan adopted a new constitution in 1992, replacing the Soviet-era constitution that had been in effect since 1978.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "been in effect since", ensure the time frame is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the exact date, month, or year the policy started.

Common error

Avoid using past perfect tense (had been) when the policy is still active. Instead of "the rule had been in effect since 2010", use "the rule has "been in effect since" 2010" if it's still active.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been in effect since" functions as a prepositional phrase specifying the commencement date of an ongoing condition, rule, or law. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and well-supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been in effect since" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate the starting date of a policy, rule, or condition that continues to be active. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is well-supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and BBC. It functions as a prepositional phrase, providing a temporal anchor and is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts. Related phrases include "operative since" and "in force since". Remember to use this phrase when the stated policy is ongoing and to avoid using past perfect tense if the policy is still active.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in effect from

Slightly alters the preposition, changing from "since" to "from", which still denotes the start date. The semantic change is very minor.

operative since

Replaces "been in effect" with "operative", indicating that something has been functioning since a specific time. The core meaning remains about something actively functioning from a starting point.

in force since

"In force" substitutes "in effect", implying that a law or rule has been actively implemented since a particular date. Similar impact, subtly different wording.

valid since

Replaces "been in effect" with "valid", focusing on the legitimacy or authorized status of something from a specified time.

in operation since

Highlights the functioning aspect, similar to "operative", but emphasizes ongoing activity. The structure and meaning are very close to the original phrase.

active since

Emphasizes the ongoing state of being active, implying something has been continuously functioning or relevant from a stated point in time.

in place since

Focuses on the establishment and continuous presence of something, suggesting it has been established and remains active from a certain time.

established since

Shifts the focus to the act of establishing something and its continued existence from that point onward. Less about ongoing activity than "in effect."

implemented since

Highlights the action of implementing a policy or system and its subsequent duration.

has been running since

This implies continuous operation or execution of a process or system from a specific time, more dynamic than the base phrase.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "been in effect since" in a sentence?

Use "been in effect since" to indicate when a rule, law, or policy became active and continues to be so. For example, "The new tax law has "been in effect since" January 1, 2025".

What are some alternatives to "been in effect since"?

You can use phrases like "operative since", "in force since", or "valid since" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "in effect since" and "in effect from"?

While both phrases indicate a starting point, "in effect since" implies continuous effect from that point to the present, whereas "in effect from" simply states the starting date without necessarily implying continuous effect. The difference is subtle, but "in effect since" is usually preferred when the policy is ongoing.

Can I use "been in effect since" for something that is no longer active?

No, if the rule or policy is no longer active, you should use the past tense. For instance, "The policy was in effect from 2010 to 2020" instead of ""been in effect since"".