has been shrinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been shrinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous decrease in size, amount, or importance over a period of time. Example: "The population of the town has been shrinking steadily over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Overall credit has been shrinking.

The Economist

And it has been shrinking.

The New York Times

The population has been shrinking for years.

The Economist

And membership has been shrinking.

The New York Times

But the open space has been shrinking.

The New York Times

But that difference has been shrinking.

The New York Times

The president's poll lead has been shrinking steadily.

The Economist

Its economy has been shrinking for a third straight year.

The New York Times

That is expensive considering that Nycomed has been shrinking.

The New York Times

The Cossack village has been shrinking since Stalin's purges.

The Economist

The Serbian empire has been shrinking steadily ever since.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been shrinking", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing in size, amount, or importance. For instance, "The company's market share has been shrinking due to increased competition."

Common error

Avoid using "has been shrinking" when referring to a sudden, abrupt change. This phrase is best suited for describing gradual decreases over time. Instead of saying "The price has been shrinking after the crash", consider "The price plummeted after the crash".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been shrinking" primarily functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an ongoing process of diminishing or decreasing. Ludwig examples show it used across various contexts to indicate a reduction over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been shrinking" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a gradual reduction over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. It is commonly found in news, business, and general contexts, indicating its broad acceptance and understanding. When using this phrase, clarity about what is decreasing is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "has been decreasing" or "has been declining" can be used to add nuance or specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been decreasing

Replaces "shrinking" with a more general term for reduction. A very close synonym, suitable in most contexts.

has been diminishing

Similar to "decreasing", but often implies a more gradual or subtle reduction.

has been declining

Suggests a decrease in quality, importance, or health, in addition to size or quantity.

has been contracting

Commonly used in economic contexts to describe a reduction in economic activity.

has been waning

Implies a decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

has been lessening

Similar to "decreasing", but often used for intangible things like pain or pressure.

has been tapering off

Suggests a gradual decrease, often towards zero.

has been reducing

Focuses on the action of reducing something, rather than the state of being smaller.

has been dwindling

Implies a slow, steady decrease, often until very little remains.

has been eroding

Suggests a gradual destruction or wearing away.

FAQs

What does "has been shrinking" mean?

The phrase "has been shrinking" indicates a gradual reduction in size, amount, or significance over a period of time. It implies a continuous process of becoming smaller or less.

What are some alternatives to "has been shrinking"?

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

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

Use "has been shrinking" to describe something that is progressively getting smaller or less. For example: "The glacier has been shrinking due to global warming" or "The company's profits have been shrinking for the past year".

Is "has been shrinking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been shrinking" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect continuous tense, which is used to describe an action that started in the past and is continuing to happen or has recently stopped. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.