has been foul

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been foul' is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something unpleasant, such as a smell, taste, or atmosphere. For example: "The smell of the trash in the alley has been foul all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"There is a suspicion that there has been foul play with Keogh's paper," Mr Sarfo-Annin said.

Independent

One difficulty for the police is deciding when to make a determination that there has been foul play, said Ms. Pasqualini, of the Center for Missing Adults.

The New York Times

Still, Thomas played well against Smits when he got his chance, contributing 10 points and 8 rebounds in Game 2. But Thomas has been foul prone and has displayed a quick temper.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This charge has been fouling the atmosphere since 9/11.

The Guardian

Over that period he has been fouled 75 times, an average of a foul every 30 minutes.

Independent

Suddenly Yaniky realizes that his sister, Winky, has been fouling his.

The New York Times - Books

He tricks referees into thinking he has been fouled, so artful is his instinct for gaining something out of nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

One thing we've noticed about Crosby is how good he is with the puck after he has been fouled.

The New York Times

But too often his Twitter guise has been foul-mouthed and objectionable.

BBC

Asked if Gervinho has been fouled inside the area by Philippe Senderos, Wenger said: "200%, but we know we don't get penalties".

BBC

Although it looked like an accident, our family suspected that there must have been foul play.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been foul", ensure the context is clear and the subject to which it refers is easily identifiable to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The negotiation atmosphere has been foul since the merger announcement".

Common error

Avoid using "has been foul" in contexts where a more nuanced or specific descriptor would be more appropriate. While "foul" implies unpleasantness, it may not capture the specific nature of the problem, such as dishonesty or incompetence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been foul" functions as a descriptor, indicating that something has become unpleasant or offensive. As Ludwig AI states, it generally refers to an unpleasant smell, taste, or atmosphere. Examples show it describing situations or data perceived as unfair or dishonest.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been foul" is used to describe something that has become unpleasant, offensive, or dishonest. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for describing negative attributes related to smell, taste, atmosphere, or situations. While mostly found in News & Media, it's essential to consider the context and choose more formal alternatives for professional or academic settings. The phrase is relatively rare, so using it effectively requires clear context and a specific intent to convey negativity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has turned unpleasant

Focuses on the change in condition to something negative.

has become offensive

Highlights the irritating or disagreeable nature.

has grown disagreeable

Emphasizes the increasing unpleasantness of something.

has gone sour

Suggests a metaphorical turning point towards negativity.

has become distasteful

Focuses on the unpleasant or offensive nature from a sensitive point of view.

has deteriorated badly

Indicates a decline in quality or condition.

has taken a turn for the worse

Emphasizes a significant negative change in circumstances.

has descended into chaos

Implies a loss of order and control.

has become unacceptable

Focuses on the idea that something is no longer tolerable.

has proven problematic

Highlights issues and difficulties that have arisen.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been foul" to describe something unpleasant or offensive. For example: "The air in the factory "has been foul" due to the chemical leak".

What are some alternatives to "has been foul"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has turned unpleasant", "has become offensive", or "has gone sour".

Is it appropriate to use "has been foul" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been foul" might be too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider more precise and professional language like "has deteriorated badly" or "has become unacceptable" for formal settings.

What does it mean when someone says there "has been foul play"?

The expression "has been foul play" suggests dishonest or unfair behavior, often in a competitive or investigative context. For example, suspecting fraud or sabotage.