has been scaled back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been scaled back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been reduced in size, scope, or extent, often in a formal or business context. Example: "Due to budget constraints, the project has been scaled back to focus on the most essential features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Its initial plan has been scaled back.

The New York Times

That service has been scaled back, running only on occasional weekend days and evenings.

The New York Times

Though the magnitude of the project has been scaled back, opposition and skepticism remain.

The New York Times

Some of NASA's co-operation with ESA on future missions has been scaled back as a result of budget cuts.

The Economist

The new plan represents the third time the program has been scaled back since it started in 1990.

The New York Times

BFI's online coverage has been scaled back a bit and there hasn't been a goody bag yet.

The Guardian - Film

Sandwiched around Piazza's homer were two rallies starring Darryl Hamilton, whose playing time has been scaled back lately.

The New York Times - Sports

Even its current plan, a modest deployment of ten new missiles (the modern Topol-M) a year, has been scaled back.

The Economist

Bono also explained for the first time why Ms. Taymor's signature character, Arachne, a mortal transformed into a spider by the goddess Athena, has been scaled back.

The New York Times

It was originally announced as a 44-stop barnstorming tour, but the schedule has been scaled back to about three stops a day.

The New York Times

The proposed deepwater port for civilian and military use has been scaled back to vague plans for a military refuelling depot, open only in summer months.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been scaled back" when you want to emphasize that something was intentionally reduced in size, scope, or intensity, often due to practical considerations like budget cuts or strategic changes.

Common error

Avoid using "has been scaled back" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "reduced" or "cut back" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been scaled back" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something has undergone a reduction in size, scope, or intensity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been scaled back" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, according to Ludwig AI, primarily in news and business contexts to denote a reduction in size, scope, or intensity. While acceptable in formal writing, it may be less suitable for casual conversation, where simpler alternatives like "reduced" or "cut back" might be preferred. When using the phrase, ensure that the context warrants its level of formality and that the intended meaning of reduction is clearly conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been reduced

Direct synonym indicating a decrease in size or scope.

has been cut back

Similar to scaled back, indicating a reduction in resources or activities.

has been diminished

Suggests a reduction in importance or effectiveness.

has been lessened

Indicates a decrease in intensity or degree.

has been pared down

Suggests a removal of unnecessary elements to simplify or reduce.

has been curtailed

Implies a restriction or limitation imposed on something.

has been downsized

Commonly used in business contexts to describe a reduction in workforce or operations.

has been trimmed

Implies a slight reduction, often for aesthetic or efficiency reasons.

has been rolled back

Suggests a reversal to a previous state or condition.

has been contracted

Indicates a decrease in size or volume, often used in economic or physical contexts.

FAQs

What does "has been scaled back" mean?

The phrase "has been scaled back" means that something has been reduced in size, scope, or intensity. It often implies a deliberate decision to make something smaller or less extensive than originally planned.

When is it appropriate to use "has been scaled back" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "has been scaled back" in formal writing, business reports, and news articles when describing the reduction of a project, plan, or operation. For informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "reduced" or "cut back" may be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "has been scaled back"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been reduced", "has been diminished", or "has been cut back" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been scaled back" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been scaled back" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect passive voice to indicate that an action (scaling back) has been completed.