has been compounded

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been compounded" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something has been increased or intensified, often referring to a situation or problem that has worsened over time. Example: "The issue has been compounded by a lack of resources, making it even more difficult to resolve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This problem has been compounded by the economic crisis.

The New York Times

That has been compounded by a drop in commuter numbers.

The New York Times

"It has been compounded by our own mistakes," Henry continued.

The New York Times - Sports

The drop has been compounded by company cuts.

The Guardian - Business

This has been compounded by Afghanistan and, in the US, by memories of Vietnam.

Independent

Experts say the impact of the poor monsoon rains has been compounded by mismanagement.

The New York Times

In most countries the legacy of colonialism has been compounded by the legacy of anti-colonialism.

The Economist

Fascination with the album has been compounded by a rare coup.

The New Yorker

In the past, the heartbreak of lives lost has been compounded by public quarreling over donations.

The New York Times

This has been compounded by Mr Chaudhry's determination to pursue corruption charges against President Zardari.

The Economist

The financial distress at GRACE has been compounded, for Recer, by medical problems.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been compounded", clearly identify the initial problem and the subsequent factors that have worsened it. This provides context and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been compounded" when you actually need the active voice. Ensure that the subject is the recipient of the action, not the actor. For example, instead of "the economic crisis has been compounded by company cuts", it is incorrect to write "company cuts has been compounded by the economic crisis".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been compounded" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a prior situation or issue has been intensified or worsened by subsequent events or factors. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples in Ludwig shows it is usually followed by the factor that worsened it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been compounded" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates a worsening situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for use in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science where events and problems are reported on and analyzed. While alternatives like "has been exacerbated" exist, the key is to ensure accurate context. Writers should avoid using it in the active voice or misinterpreting the meaning, ensuring clarity when using "has been compounded".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been exacerbated

Highlights the worsening of a problem or negative situation.

has been intensified

Focuses on the increased intensity of something, often an emotion or feeling.

has been heightened

Suggests an increase in degree or amount, often of something abstract like awareness or tension.

has been worsened

A general term for making something worse or less satisfactory.

has been aggravated

Emphasizes making a bad situation worse, often through specific actions.

has been magnified

Conveys the idea of something being made to appear larger than it actually is, often in importance.

has been amplified

Focuses on increasing the amplitude or strength of something, often used in the context of sound or signals.

has been augmented

Implies an addition or increase in size, extent, or quantity.

has been complicated

Highlights the increase in complexity, making something harder to understand or deal with.

has been inflated

Implies an artificial or unwarranted increase, often in prices or importance.

FAQs

How can I use "has been compounded" in a sentence?

You can use "has been compounded" to describe how a problem or situation has worsened over time due to additional factors. For instance, "The initial difficulty "has been compounded" by a lack of resources."

What are some alternatives to saying "has been compounded"?

Alternatives to "has been compounded" include "has been exacerbated", "has been worsened", or "has been intensified". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has compounded" instead of "has been compounded"?

While "has compounded" is grammatically correct, it has a slightly different meaning. "Has compounded" implies that something has increased or accumulated, whereas "has been compounded" emphasizes that something has worsened due to additional factors.

What's the difference between "has been compounded" and "has been complicated"?

"Has been compounded" suggests that a situation has become more severe, whereas "has been complicated" implies that a situation has become more complex or difficult to understand. While related, they emphasize different aspects of the change.