has been muted

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been muted" is a perfectly acceptable, grammatically correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been intentionally silenced, such as in the following example: The loudspeaker blared so loudly that it had to be muted to prevent further disturbance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The response has been muted.

The Economist

So far, interest has been muted.

The New Yorker

So far the response has been muted.

The Economist

In fact, reaction has been muted.

The Economist

India's response has been muted.

The Washington Post

Yet Wall Street's reaction has been muted.

The New York Times

The Cuban press coverage has been muted.

The New York Times

The UK government's response has been muted.

The Guardian

So far local reaction has been muted.

The New York Times

This time, the criticism has been muted.

The New Yorker

Thus far, though, the reaction in Washington has been muted.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been muted" when describing a deliberate or unintentional reduction in the intensity, volume, or expression of something. It implies a lessening of impact or visibility.

Common error

Avoid using "has been muted" when a more forceful verb like "suppressed" or "silenced" would be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning. Ensure the chosen verb accurately reflects the degree of reduction or suppression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been muted" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice, indicating that the subject has experienced a reduction in intensity, volume, or expression. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been muted" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a reduction in intensity, volume, or expression. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears very commonly in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, it's important to use it appropriately, considering whether stronger verbs like "suppressed" or "silenced" might be more accurate. By understanding the nuances and contexts, you can effectively use "has been muted" to enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been suppressed

Indicates a more forceful prevention of expression or response.

has been softened

Suggests a reduction in intensity or impact.

has been quieted

Implies a deliberate effort to make something less noisy or noticeable.

has been toned down

Indicates a reduction in intensity or aggressiveness.

has been diminished

Suggests a reduction in importance, size or impact.

has been dampened

Suggests that something has been made less intense or enthusiastic.

has been restrained

Indicates a controlled or limited expression.

has been subdued

Implies a state of being quiet or repressed.

has been lessened

Suggests a reduction in degree or intensity.

has been weakened

Indicates a reduction in strength or effectiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been muted" to indicate that something has been intentionally or unintentionally reduced in intensity or expression. For example, "The criticism "has been muted" by the recent changes."

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

You can use alternatives like "has been softened", "has been quieted", or "has been toned down" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been muted" formal or informal?

"Has been muted" is considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "has been muted" and "has been silenced"?

"Has been muted" implies a reduction in intensity or volume, whereas "has been silenced" suggests a complete suppression of expression. The former is less forceful than the latter.