has been scathing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been scathing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a critical or harsh comment or review that has been made in the past and continues to be relevant. Example: "The critic has been scathing in her reviews of the film, highlighting its numerous flaws and shortcomings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Labour has been scathing.

The New Yorker

"The magazine has been scathing about racism.

The Guardian - Books

The response in the British press has been scathing.

The New Yorker

Barack Obama's administration has been scathing about repressive laws such as Uganda's.

The Economist

But she has been scathing about her daughter and her "vile doggedness" in two television interviews.

The New York Times

The outgoing Obama administration has been scathing of Russia's role in Syria.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Several have been scathing.

The Economist

In the meantime, reviews in the US have been scathing.

The Guardian - Film

Customers replying to the post have been scathing.

The Guardian - Business

Others have been scathing about the market mechanism though.

The Guardian

"I love this dress," said Heidi, who had been scathing of his work the week before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been scathing" when you want to emphasize the intensity and severity of the criticism. Ensure the context warrants such strong language.

Common error

Avoid using "has been scathing" when the situation calls for a more moderate critique. Overusing strong language can dilute its impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been scathing" functions as a verb phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone or something has delivered extremely harsh or severe criticism. It's used to emphasize the intensity of the critique. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been scathing" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that emphasizes the severe and intense nature of criticism. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, this phrase effectively conveys strong disapproval. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using "has been scathing", be mindful of the context to ensure the severity of the language is warranted and consider related phrases like "has been highly critical" or "has strongly condemned" as alternatives depending on the situation. Overusing such strong language could diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been highly critical

Replaces "scathing" with a more general term for criticism, focusing on a high degree of critique.

has expressed extreme disapproval

Focuses on the feeling of disapproval, emphasizing its intensity.

has strongly condemned

Emphasizes a formal and often public disapproval or denouncement.

has roundly denounced

Highlights a widespread and emphatic disapproval.

has delivered a harsh rebuke

Highlights the act of reprimanding or criticizing sharply.

has given a damning assessment

Emphasizes the negative and conclusive nature of the evaluation.

has offered a blistering critique

Implies a forceful and damaging criticism.

has unleashed a tirade against

Suggests an angry and prolonged verbal attack.

has savaged

Implies a fierce and brutal attack in words.

has torn to shreds

Uses a more figurative and dramatic way to describe a very destructive critique.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been scathing" to describe someone who has delivered harsh criticism, as in "The reviewer "has been scathing" about the performance."

What are some alternatives to "has been scathing"?

Alternatives include "has been highly critical", "has strongly condemned", or "has expressed extreme disapproval", depending on the desired level of intensity.

Is it appropriate to use "has been scathing" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been scathing" is appropriate in formal writing when the context involves strong criticism and you want to emphasize the severity of the remarks.

What's the difference between "has been critical" and "has been scathing"?

"Has been critical" implies a general level of critique, while ""has been scathing"" suggests a much more intense and harsh form of criticism.