has been restraining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been restraining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state of limiting or controlling something over a period of time. Example: "The organization has been restraining its spending to ensure financial stability during the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

While weakness in business spending has been restraining growth, the housing market is gaining momentum, which should support the recovery.

The New York Times

While the government has been restraining or abolishing other forms of quasi-legal detention, such as the "rehabilitation through labor" system, the use and reach of shuanggui has only increased.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But his bosses' initial response has been restrained.

The New York Times

So far, however, the Palestinian response has been restrained.

The Economist

But that debate has been restrained in recent days.

The New York Times

Trading has been restrained in recent weeks in the absence of conclusive economic data.

The New York Times

Still, the effect of rising labor costs on consumer prices has been restrained, the Fed said.

The New York Times

But, successful as these two have been, their collective market share has been restrained by quirks of their distribution.

The Economist

Growth of the forestry industry has been restrained, however, by legislation aimed at preserving the country's extensive forest cover.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the criticism of the new rules has come from health plans, though even their reaction has been restrained.

The New York Times

"Up until now, our response has been restrained by peace process considerations," a senior military official said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been restraining" to describe ongoing efforts to limit or control something over a period. For example, "The company has been restraining its spending to avoid losses."

Common error

Avoid using "has been restraining" when you simply mean 'has stopped'. "Restraining" implies an ongoing effort to control, not a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been restraining" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI supports the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been restraining" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of limiting or controlling something. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is rare. The phrase appears mainly in news, media, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that the ongoing and continuous nature of the restraining action is clear to avoid misinterpretation. Common alternatives include "has been limiting", "has been curbing" and "has been controlling".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been limiting

Focuses on setting a limit rather than directly controlling or holding back.

has been constraining

Emphasizes the imposition of restrictions and limitations on actions.

has been curbing

Emphasizes reducing or checking undesirable activity, less about overall control.

has been holding back

More informal, suggesting reluctance or impediment to progress.

has been inhibiting

Focuses on hindering or preventing an action or process.

has been controlling

Highlights direct management or command over something.

has been suppressing

Implies actively preventing something from manifesting or developing.

has been checking

Indicates monitoring and regulating to prevent excess or error.

has been impeding

Focuses on obstructing or slowing down progress.

has been hindering

Similar to impeding but can imply creating difficulties.

FAQs

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

Use "has been restraining" to describe an action of limiting or controlling something over a period of time. For instance, "The government "has been restraining" spending on public works projects."

What are some alternatives to "has been restraining"?

You can use phrases like "has been limiting", "has been curbing", or "has been controlling", depending on the specific context.

Is "has been restraining" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been restraining" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of the present perfect continuous tense.

What's the difference between "has been restraining" and "has restrained"?

"Has been restraining" suggests an ongoing action of controlling something, while "has restrained" implies a completed action. For example, "The company "has been restraining" expenses" suggests a continuous effort, whereas "The company has restrained expenses" indicates a one-time or completed act.