has been decimated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been decimated" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something has been severely reduced or destroyed, often in a dramatic or overwhelming manner. Example: "The population of the species has been decimated due to habitat loss and poaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"His reputation has been decimated".

The New York Times

Greek tragedy has been decimated.

The New Yorker

"Pas has been decimated".

The New York Times

"Our brand has been decimated".

The New York Times

And when legal aid has been decimated.

The Guardian

The country has been decimated, and therein lies its potential.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But the Cardinals' pitching has been decimated with injuries.

The New York Times - Sports

And as a consequence, al-Qaida's core leadership has been decimated.

The New York Times

Al Qaeda's leadership, particularly in the tribal areas of Pakistan, has been decimated.

The New Yorker

The Yellow Pages business has been decimated in the digital age.

The New York Times

"Here in Southern California, our economy has been decimated," he said.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been decimated" to convey a sense of significant loss or destruction, often implying a previously healthy or robust state. Ensure the subject of the phrase is something that can reasonably be reduced or destroyed, such as a population, industry, or resource.

Common error

Avoid using "has been decimated" in situations where the reduction is minor or the destruction is not substantial. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been decimated" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has undergone a process of significant reduction or destruction. Ludwig AI examples show it modifying nouns like 'population', 'industry', or 'leadership'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been decimated" is a powerful way to describe a severe reduction or destruction of something. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context warrants the strong connotation of near-total loss. Consider alternatives like ""has been devastated"" or ""has been ravaged"" if a slightly different nuance is desired, but be mindful of avoiding exaggeration to maintain credibility. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the phrase's versatility across various domains, emphasizing its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been devastated

Replaces 'decimated' with 'devastated', emphasizing emotional impact and widespread destruction.

has been ravaged

Substitutes 'decimated' with 'ravaged', highlighting violent and destructive action.

has been severely reduced

Replaces 'decimated' with a more literal description of a significant decrease in quantity or strength.

has been wiped out

Uses 'wiped out' instead of 'decimated' to suggest complete obliteration or elimination.

has been annihilated

Replaces 'decimated' with 'annihilated', stressing total destruction and eradication.

has suffered greatly

Substitutes 'decimated' with a focus on the negative impact and suffering experienced.

has been crippled

Uses 'crippled' instead of 'decimated' to indicate severe damage that impairs function or effectiveness.

has been left in ruins

Replaces 'decimated' with a visual depiction of destruction and desolation.

has experienced a great loss

Substitutes 'decimated' to focus on the act of losing a large quantity of something.

has taken a heavy toll

Replaces 'decimated' with a idiom that means to experience hardship.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been decimated" to describe something that has been severely reduced or destroyed. For example, "The population of bees "has been decimated" due to pesticide use".

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

Alternatives include "has been devastated", "has been ravaged", or "has been severely reduced" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "has been decimated" in a formal context?

Yes, "has been decimated" is appropriate for formal contexts, especially when discussing significant losses or destruction in fields such as economics, history, or science. However, ensure the tone remains objective and not overly emotional.

What's the difference between "has been decimated" and "has been damaged"?

"Has been decimated" implies a severe reduction or near destruction, while "has been damaged" suggests harm that may not be as extensive. "The forest "has been decimated" by the fire" indicates a greater level of destruction than "The forest "has been damaged" by the fire".