has been dropping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been dropping' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a gradual decrease over a period of time. For example, "The temperature has been dropping steadily since morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That price has been dropping.

The New York Times

But it has been dropping since.

The Guardian

The rate has been dropping since 2011.

The Washington Post

And attendance for games has been dropping for years.

The New York Times

The unemployment rate has been dropping over the past year.

The New York Times

The cost of combi-players has been dropping.

The New York Times - Arts

I know the global fertility rate has been dropping.

The Guardian - Opinion

South Korea's birth rate has been dropping since the 1960s.

The Guardian

That number has been dropping consistently for decades.

The New York Times

Tobacco consumption nationwide has been dropping for decades.

The New York Times

Rock's minimum daily requirement of irony has been dropping steadily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been dropping", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and over what period. For example, "Profits have been dropping steadily since the new regulations were implemented."

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence when using "has been dropping". Ensure the rest of your sentence maintains a consistent past perfect or simple past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dropping" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and continues to the present, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the decrease. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been dropping" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe a continuous decline over time. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and frequently used in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While semantically similar alternatives like "has been decreasing" or "has been declining" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to maintain consistent tense usage and clearly define what is decreasing to ensure clarity in your writing. The phrase’s widespread use across authoritative sources confirms its reliability and appropriateness for various writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been decreasing

Emphasizes a gradual reduction in quantity or intensity.

has been declining

Suggests a weakening or deterioration over time.

has been diminishing

Highlights a gradual reduction to a smaller size or extent.

has been falling

Implies a downward movement or descent.

has been reducing

Focuses on the act of making something smaller or less.

has been lessening

Indicates a reduction in degree or intensity.

has been waning

Suggests a decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

has been receding

Implies a moving back or away from a previous level.

has been sinking

Conveys a sense of something gradually going down or failing.

has been depreciating

Specifically refers to a decrease in value or worth.

FAQs

How to use "has been dropping" in a sentence?

Use "has been dropping" to describe a continuous decrease over time. For example, "The company's stock price "has been dropping" for the past month".

What can I say instead of "has been dropping"?

You can use alternatives like "has been decreasing", "has been declining", or "has been diminishing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been dropping" or "is dropping"?

"Has been dropping" indicates a continuous action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is dropping" refers to an action happening right now. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "has been dropping" and "dropped"?

"Has been dropping" implies a gradual decline over time, while "dropped" suggests a single, completed action. For example, "The temperature "has been dropping" all day" versus "The temperature dropped suddenly last night".