has been short

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been short" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe or explain something that has been less than usual. For example: "This month's supply of milk has been short, so please make sure to check the expiration date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Most of my writing at Wyoming has been short stories.

The New Yorker

Partly because of these policies, Brazil's recession has been short.

The Economist

For months, the government has been short of money.

The New York Times

The family has been short on further details.

The New York Times

His transition to college ball has been short and convincing.

The New York Times - Sports

Though Rodriguez's partnership with Li has been short, the results have been immediate.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

That relief has been short-lived.

The Economist

But unity has been short-lived.

The Economist

"We are concerned that successive governments' approach to school sport has been short-term," they said.

Independent

As it is, the agency has been short-staffed for years.

The New York Times

What has driven these men has been short-termism and irresponsibility.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been short" to describe a duration, supply, or detail that is less than expected or desired. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is lacking.

Common error

Avoid using "has been short" when you mean "has been shortened". "Has been short" describes a state of being, while "has been shortened" describes an action performed on something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been short" functions as a stative verb phrase, describing a condition of deficiency or brevity. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe deficits in resources, time, or details. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been short" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a deficiency or lack of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and widely used. It commonly appears in neutral contexts such as news reports, scientific publications, and business communications. While its usage is broad, it's important to ensure it accurately describes a state of deficiency rather than an action of shortening something else. Alternatives like ""has been limited"" or ""has been lacking"" can be used for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been brief

Highlights the concise nature of something, typically referring to duration or length.

has been limited

Indicates a restriction in quantity, duration or scope, emphasizing constraint rather than mere brevity.

has been lacking

Emphasizes a deficiency or absence of something that is needed or expected.

has been insufficient

Focuses on inadequacy, suggesting that something has not reached the required amount or standard.

has been scarce

Indicates a limited availability or rarity of something.

has been deficient

Stresses the incompleteness or imperfection of something, often in a technical or formal context.

has been curtailed

Implies a reduction or restriction, often due to external factors or limitations.

has been truncated

Suggests that something has been cut short or abbreviated, often abruptly.

has been abridged

Highlights a reduction in length or content, often with the intention of making something more accessible or manageable.

has been minimal

Indicates a very small or negligible amount or degree of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been short" to indicate a lack or deficiency in something, such as "The supply of water "has been short" this summer."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "has been short"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has been limited", "has been lacking", or "has been brief", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been shortly" instead of "has been short"?

No, "has been shortly" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrase to use is ""has been short"" to indicate a lack or brevity.

What's the difference between "has been short" and "has fallen short"?

"Has been short" indicates a deficiency or lack, while "has fallen short" implies a failure to meet a specific target or expectation. They are similar but not always interchangeable.