has been receding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been receding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual decrease or withdrawal of something over time, often in contexts like physical phenomena, trends, or emotional states. Example: "The shoreline has been receding due to rising sea levels, affecting the coastal ecosystem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Since 1993, democracy in Jordan has been receding.

The New York Times

The "sea of faith that once girdled the earth" has been receding for a long time in Britain.

Independent

Valefor, it emerges, has been "receding" and needs a dose of human mojo: "That was some good stuff, Flora.

The New York Times - Books

"We are seeing more interest in financial aid," said Mr. Johnson of Hackley, "as the middle-class stigma associated with financial aid has been receding".

The New York Times

In contrast, the Moon has been receding constantly since its origin ~4.5Gyr ago and its rate of recession has increased only over geologic time scales, not over intervals as brief as 100 yr.

Cornell University

Our economy, in my opinion, has been receding for some time — it was kept alive by the credit bubble, and when that exploded, it exposed the fact that the competition, particularly in Asia for manufacturing, has devastated our economy".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Loan losses are still at a relatively high 3.1% but have been receding since 2006.

The Economist

Since the end of the Little Ice Age around 1850 CE glaciers in the Alps have been receding dramatically.

Geomorphology

The share prices of both banks have been strong lately, maybe because regulatory threats have been receding.

The Economist

Then again, it might not.Until recently, fears of an Israeli or American attack on Iran had been receding.

The Economist

"And anyone who works on glaciers will tell you that the glaciers have been receding for many years".

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been receding" to describe a gradual decline or withdrawal over time, whether physical (like glaciers) or abstract (like influence or power).

Common error

Avoid using "has been receding" to describe sudden or abrupt changes. This phrase implies a gradual process, not an immediate shift.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been receding" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past and is continuing into the present. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been receding" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as supported by Ludwig. It is employed to describe a gradual decline or withdrawal over time, applicable to both tangible and intangible subjects. While versatile, it's important to remember that "has been receding" denotes a continuous action from the past to the present. The Ludwig AI confirms this, while demonstrating appropriate usage across diverse sources. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been diminishing

Replaces "receding" with a synonym, suggesting a decrease in size or importance.

has been declining

Indicates a downward trend or deterioration.

has been decreasing

A general term for becoming smaller or less.

has been waning

Implies a decrease in strength or intensity.

has been shrinking

Focuses on physical reduction in size.

has been losing ground

Suggests a loss of advantage or position.

has been ebbing

Suggests a gradual decline, similar to a tide going out.

has been falling back

Implies a retreat or withdrawal from a previous position.

has been diminishing in importance

Highlights the reduction in significance or relevance.

has seen a reduction

Focuses on the fact of a reduction, rather than the process.

FAQs

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

Use "has been receding" to describe a gradual decrease or withdrawal. For instance, "The coastline "has been receding" due to erosion."

What are some alternatives to "has been receding"?

You can use alternatives like "has been diminishing", "has been declining", or "has been waning" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "is receding" instead of "has been receding"?

Yes, "is receding" can be correct, but it describes something happening in the present moment. "Has been receding" indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present.

What's the difference between "has been receding" and "receded"?

"Has been receding" implies a continuous process over time, while "receded" indicates that the process is completed. For example, "The floodwaters have been receding" means they are currently going down, while "The floodwaters receded" means they went down in the past.