has been exponential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been exponential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or trend that has increased rapidly over time. Example: "The growth of the technology sector has been exponential in the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It has been exponential.

The New Yorker

"The increase has been exponential.

The Guardian

Since then, the change has been exponential.

The New York Times

Carvalho said: "It has been exponential.

The Guardian - Sport

Its shares were due to begin trading as The Economist went to press.The growth of "marketplace lenders", as the online nearly-banks now prefer to be called, has been exponential.

The Economist

Population growth in the 410 years of our study has been exponential.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Jay Apt, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University and executive director of its Electricity Industry Center, said that growth in use of electricity had been exponential from the 1950s until about 1973, and linear since then.

The New York Times

In recent years, there have been exponential increases in the value of mehriehs, which now often reach the equivalent of tens of thousands of dollars.

The New York Times

While women hold only 97 of the 535 seats in the combined Congress (or 18.1percentt), it's the trajectory that's important to look at: Just ten years ago, women's representation in Congress was a third of what it is now; and since then, their gains have been exponential, and in a near-vertical climb.

Huffington Post

Over the past generation there has been an exponential rise in the number of nongovernmental or religiously sanctioned cohabitations.

The New York Times

Also deeply concerning has been the exponential rise in hate crimes across the UK since the Brexit vote, a phenomenon that has been widely and rightly documented.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been exponential", ensure the context clearly supports the idea of accelerating growth, not just a large increase. It's most appropriate when describing phenomena that compound over time.

Common error

Avoid using "has been exponential" to simply mean 'large growth'. Exponential growth specifically refers to growth where the rate is proportional to the current value. If the growth is linear or follows another pattern, a different phrase is more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been exponential" functions as a descriptive phrase indicating the manner of growth. According to Ludwig AI, it suggests that something is increasing at an accelerating rate, rather than a steady pace.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

56%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been exponential" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes a rapid and accelerating increase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, primarily in news, science, and encyclopedia contexts. While alternatives like "has increased rapidly" or "has grown significantly" exist, they lack the specific implication of accelerating growth inherent in "has been exponential". Ensure to use it when referring to true compounding growth, and consider its formality depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has surged exponentially

Combines 'surged' with 'exponentially' to add emphasis to the speed and nature of the increase.

has increased rapidly

Replaces 'exponential' with a more general term for fast growth; less formal and mathematically precise.

has seen explosive growth

Uses 'explosive' to emphasize the sudden and dramatic nature of the growth; more figurative.

has grown significantly

Substitutes 'exponential' with a general term for substantial growth; lacks the implication of accelerating growth.

has mushroomed quickly

Implies a rapid and often uncontrolled growth, similar to how mushrooms appear; less formal and technical.

has expanded dramatically

Employs 'dramatically' to highlight the magnitude of the expansion; less technical.

has ballooned immensely

Uses 'ballooned' to convey a rapid and often unexpected increase in size or scope; more informal.

has escalated sharply

Focuses on the suddenness and intensity of the increase; more suitable for negative trends.

has proliferated extensively

Indicates a widespread and abundant increase; best used for things that can spread.

has mounted considerably

Suggests a gradual but substantial accumulation; less about speed and more about volume.

FAQs

What does "has been exponential" mean?

The phrase "has been exponential" means something has grown or increased at an accelerating rate, where the growth rate is proportional to the current value. This indicates a rapid and compounding increase over time.

When is it appropriate to use "has been exponential" in a sentence?

Use "has been exponential" when describing a trend or phenomenon that is not only increasing but increasing at an increasing rate. This is especially relevant in contexts like population growth, technological advancements, or financial returns.

What are some alternatives to "has been exponential"?

You can use alternatives like "has increased rapidly", "has grown significantly", or "has seen explosive growth" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been exponential" even if the growth isn't perfectly exponential in a mathematical sense?

While "has been exponential" technically describes a specific mathematical function, it's often used more loosely to describe growth that is perceived as very rapid and accelerating. However, using it only when the trend closely resembles true exponential growth will ensure accuracy and precision.