has been pinched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been pinched" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been stolen or taken without permission, often in a colloquial context. Example: "I noticed that my wallet has been pinched while I was at the café."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This idea has been pinched from penguins.

The Economist

The shining soprano has been pinched into stridency by Long Island lockjaw.

The New York Times

She has already has been pinched by Republicans for comparing Senator Kerry to a "fine aged wine".

The New York Times

Compensation experts are predicting it will be a rough year on Wall Street, where profit has been pinched by falling trading revenue.

The New York Times

Most schools do not have much discretionary money to pay for the trips, and parent fund-raising has been pinched by the economy.

The New York Times

For several years, the small-banking sector has been pinched on one side by the rising costs of compliance and technology, and on the other by historically low interest rates (which cut into lending margins).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

He's a young aristocrat who has been pinching knickknacks from his own house to pawn.

The New York Times - Books

THE recession has been pinching the real estate market in New York, in ways both obvious and mysterious.

The New York Times

Usually, it takes victims longer to notice that their details have been pinched.

The Economist

His eyes would open in surprise, as if he had been pinched, then close quickly.

The New Yorker

They were written in 1947 by an Austrian poet, Paula von Preradovic, because the old anthem had been pinched by the Germans.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been pinched" to describe the theft of something in a casual or informal context. It's suitable when the tone is not overly serious or formal.

Common error

Avoid using "has been pinched" in formal writing or professional reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "has been stolen" or "has been taken" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been pinched" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject has undergone an action (being stolen or taken). As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a valid phrase that follows standard grammatical rules and can be used to describe theft in an informal way.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been pinched" is a grammatically correct, though informal, way to describe something that has been stolen. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's best used in casual contexts and should be avoided in formal writing. More suitable alternatives such as "has been stolen" or "has been taken" are preferable for professional or academic settings. Usage patterns show it's most common in News & Media and Wiki sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been stolen

Replaces "pinched" with a more direct term for theft.

has been taken

A more general term, implying something has been removed or acquired.

has been lifted

An informal way to say something has been stolen.

has been embezzled

Suggests theft within a business or organization.

has been depleted

Emphasizes a reduction in quantity or resources.

has been lessened

Implies a decrease or reduction in something intangible, like influence or power.

has been constricted

Suggests a limitation or squeezing of something.

has been strained

Implies a difficult situation where resources or relationships are under pressure.

has been undermined

Suggests that something has been weakened or damaged, often subtly.

has been compromised

Indicates that something has been weakened or put at risk.

FAQs

What does "has been pinched" mean?

The phrase "has been pinched" means that something has been stolen or taken without permission. It's often used in informal contexts.

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

You can use alternatives such as "has been stolen", "has been taken", or "has been lifted", depending on the context.

Is "has been pinched" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been pinched" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense in the passive voice.

When is it appropriate to use "has been pinched"?

It is appropriate to use "has been pinched" in informal settings or when speaking casually about something that has been stolen. Avoid using it in formal or professional writing where more precise language is preferred.