has been in effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a law or rule that has been in effect or in operation since a certain time in the past. For example: "The new traffic ordinance has been in effect since last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The order has been in effect for nine weeks.

The New Yorker

P.S.: This has been, in effect, a thought experiment.

The New Yorker

A moratorium has been in effect since then, he said.

The New York Times

The reimbursement policy has been in effect for years.

The New York Times

Mr. Blair's response has been, in effect, to shrug.

The New York Times

The new requirement has been in effect since August.

The New York Times

The decree has been in effect for three days and could last until Nov. 22.

The New York Times

The policy has been in effect for more than 25 years.

The New York Times

A national moratorium on closing post offices has been in effect for several years.

The New York Times

But it has been in effect since then and has grown to more than $2 billion.

The New York Times

No privately managed environmental easement has been in effect half that long, he noted.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been in effect", ensure you clearly state the starting date or duration to provide context. For example: "The new policy "has been in effect" since January 1, 2025."

Common error

Avoid using "has been in effect" when referring to a future event. Use "will be in effect" instead. For example, it's incorrect to say: "The rule "has been in effect" next week." Correct: "The rule will be in effect next week."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in effect" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the duration and validity of a rule, law, or policy. It typically connects a subject (like a law or policy) with the state of being operational over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been in effect" is a versatile and commonly used expression to denote that something, typically a rule, law, or policy, has been operational for a certain duration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, academic writing, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, clarity is key; providing specific dates or durations enhances understanding. While alternatives exist, such as "has been implemented" or "has been operative", the original phrase remains a direct and effective way to communicate the ongoing status of a regulation or agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been implemented

Focuses on the action of putting something into practice.

has been operative

Emphasizes the functional aspect of something being active.

has been valid

Highlights the legitimacy and enforceability of something.

has been active

Indicates a state of being in operation or functioning.

has been in force

Emphasizes the power and authority behind something being operational.

has been running

Suggests continuous operation over a period.

has been standing

Implies a state of being established or upheld.

has been established

Focuses on the act of setting something up and making it operational.

has been practiced

Implies the ongoing application of a rule or method.

has been upheld

Highlights the act of maintaining something in its operational state.

FAQs

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

Use "has been in effect" to indicate that a rule, law, or policy has been operational for a certain period. For example: "The smoking ban "has been in effect" since 2007."

What can I say instead of "has been in effect"?

You can use alternatives like "has been implemented", "has been operative", or "has been valid" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has been in effect" or "is in effect"?

"Has been in effect" indicates that something started in the past and continues to the present, while "is in effect" implies it's currently active. Choose "has been in effect" when emphasizing duration.

What's the difference between "has been in effect" and "will be in effect"?

"Has been in effect" refers to something currently active from a past time, while "will be in effect" refers to something that will become active in the future.