has been powerless

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been powerless" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being without power or influence over a situation or outcome, often in a context of frustration or helplessness. Example: "Despite her efforts to change the policy, she has been powerless to make any significant impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Priebus has been powerless.

The New Yorker

And the MDC, lacking control of the state bureaucracy, has been powerless to enact democratic reforms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meanwhile, town planning has been powerless before the rise of the new retail baronial class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Perhaps he always has been powerless, but we, and he, can only see it clearly now.

The Guardian

Instead, he has been powerless to help as his England team-mates took the fast track to series defeat here.

Independent

But he conceded the main criticism of Syrian activists, that the mission has been powerless to stop the bloodshed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

And I have been powerless to stop it.

The Guardian

The Illinois court would have been powerless, though, had the attack occurred seconds before.

The New York Times

Ever since I did purchase it, I have been powerless to stop playing it.

The New Yorker

Camra says that in most cases communities have been powerless to save their locals.

The Guardian - Business

If they had been powerless in prison, here was a situation where they thought they had the power.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been powerless" to clearly convey a lack of influence or authority in a specific context. Ensure the subject and context are well-defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been powerless" when the subject actually possesses some degree of influence but chooses not to exercise it. Powerlessness implies a genuine lack of capacity, not simply inaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been powerless" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the subject's state of lacking power or influence. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been powerless" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a lack of ability or authority to influence events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, ensure the phrase accurately reflects a genuine lack of capacity, not merely inaction, and adapt your word choice to singular or plural subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has lacked the ability to act

Focuses on the absence of capacity or means to take action.

has been unable to intervene

Highlights the failure to prevent something from happening.

has had no influence

Emphasizes the lack of impact or effect on a situation.

has been ineffectual

Stresses the failure to produce a desired result or effect.

has been ineffective

Similar to ineffectual but slightly broader in scope.

has been without authority

Highlights the absence of legitimate power or right.

has been helpless

Emphasizes the feeling of being unable to assist or protect.

has been impotent

Suggests a lack of strength or vigor to produce an effect.

has been deficient in power

Formal phrasing expressing a lack of necessary strength or capacity.

has been deficient in influence

Formal phrasing expressing a lack of necessary impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been powerless" to describe a situation where someone or something lacks the ability to influence an outcome. For instance, "The regulatory body "has been powerless" to stop the merger."

What are some alternatives to "has been powerless"?

Alternatives include "has been ineffective", "has been unable to act", or "has had no influence", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has been powerless" for singular subjects (e.g., "The government has been powerless"), and "have been powerless" for plural subjects (e.g., "The citizens have been powerless").

What's the difference between "has been ineffective" and "has been powerless"?

"Has been ineffective" suggests that efforts were made but did not achieve the desired result. "Has been powerless" implies a complete lack of capacity to act or influence the situation.