has been overwhelmed

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been overwhelmed' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to express a strong feeling of being overpowered or overcome by something. For example, "The response to the new product launch has been overwhelming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Original debate has been overwhelmed".

The Guardian - Arts

Its helpline has been overwhelmed.

The Guardian

Sometimes, he said, he has been overwhelmed.

The New York Times - Sports

"Our society has been overwhelmed by divorce".

The New York Times

Even the Army — Pakistan's best-functioning institution — has been overwhelmed.

The New York Times

More recently, he has been overwhelmed with unwanted financial advice.

The New York Times

"Umm Qasr has been overwhelmed," Sir Michael said.

The Guardian

And unions' once impressive political clout has been overwhelmed by a wave of corporate money.

The New York Times

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority at Cardiff reports that it has been overwhelmed by demand.

The Economist

One factory has been overwhelmed by water almost 1.5 metres (4 feet) deep.

The Economist

Greece has been overwhelmed by an influx of mainly refugees reaching its islands from Turkey.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation, consider using "has been overwhelmed" to emphasize the magnitude of the impact. For example, "The hospital has been overwhelmed by the number of patients."

Common error

Avoid using "has been overwhelmed" with plural subjects. Instead, use "have been overwhelmed". For example, instead of "The team has been overwhelmed", use "The team have been overwhelmed" when referring to the individuals in the team.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been overwhelmed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has received or experienced an overwhelming force or situation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been overwhelmed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys a sense of being overpowered or overcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to highlight the impact of significant events or forces. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and be mindful of the context to convey the intended meaning accurately. The related phrases, such as "has been inundated" or "has been overloaded", offer nuanced alternatives for specific situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been inundated

Replaces "overwhelmed" with a synonym suggesting being flooded or overloaded.

has been overloaded

Emphasizes the idea of exceeding capacity or limits.

has been defeated

Suggests being overcome in a struggle or competition.

has been crushed

Implies a more forceful and destructive form of being overwhelmed.

has been consumed

Suggests being completely taken over or absorbed.

has been conquered

Similar to defeated, but often implies a more permanent or complete victory by the opposing force.

has been overtaken

Suggests something has surpassed or exceeded in importance or effect.

has been trounced

Implies a comprehensive and decisive defeat.

has been bested

A more informal way of saying "has been defeated" or "outdone".

has been superseded

Implies being replaced or made obsolete by something newer or better.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been overwhelmed" to describe a situation where someone or something is completely overcome by a large amount or intense force. For example, "The city "has been overwhelmed" by the floodwaters."

What are some alternatives to "has been overwhelmed"?

Some alternatives include "has been inundated", "has been overloaded", or "has been defeated", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "have been overwhelmed" instead of "has been overwhelmed"?

Yes, "have been overwhelmed" is correct when the subject is plural. "Has been overwhelmed" is used with singular subjects, while "have been overwhelmed" is used with plural subjects. For instance, "They "have been overwhelmed" by the support."

What's the difference between "has been overwhelmed" and "is overwhelmed"?

"Has been overwhelmed" implies a past action with ongoing consequences, while "is overwhelmed" describes a current state. For example, "The system has been overwhelmed by the demand (and continues to be)", versus "The system is overwhelmed by the current demand (right now)".