has been sinking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been sinking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state that started in the past and continues into the present, often in contexts related to decline or deterioration. Example: "The ship has been sinking slowly since the storm began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since then, your stock has been sinking.

The New York Times

(And lo, the market has been sinking ever since).

The New Yorker

"In fact, the boat has been sinking for decades".

The Economist

Morgan has been sinking all of CNN's ships during primetime and he clearly had to go.

Independent

She has been sinking more than $600 into paying off her loans every month since graduating.

The New York Times

(Your P.R. guy denies this offer was ever made). Since then, your stock has been sinking.

The New York Times

Today the rate is 1.4, and has been sinking for half a century.

The New York Times

But the reality is that the golf course has been sinking further into debt.

The New York Times - Travel

For more than a decade the Barnes has been sinking into ever-increasing financial troubles.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Hollande's popularity has been sinking and his mostly symbolic tax increase would not reverse that trend.

The New York Times

And researchers also know that the ice shelf has been sinking — in other words, becoming lower in the water.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been sinking" to describe situations where a gradual decline is evident, such as in economic trends, poll ratings, or physical conditions. It effectively communicates a continuous downward trajectory.

Common error

Avoid using "has been sinking" to describe a completed event. This phrase implies an ongoing process, not a one-time occurrence. Instead use "sank".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been sinking" functions as a present perfect progressive (or continuous) verb phrase. It describes an action that began in the past and is continuing into the present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been sinking" is a versatile expression used to depict ongoing decline or deterioration. Grammatically sound and widely employed, as Ludwig confirms, it conveys a sense of continuous negative progression. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, this phrase effectively communicates concerns about economic downturns, waning popularity, or worsening conditions. When using this phrase, ensure it reflects an ongoing process rather than a completed event, and consider alternatives like "has been declining" or "has been deteriorating" to fine-tune the nuance. Overall, "has been sinking" is a valuable tool for expressing negative trends with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been declining

Replaces "sinking" with a more general term for decreasing or weakening.

has been deteriorating

Emphasizes a progressive worsening of condition or quality.

has been diminishing

Focuses on a gradual reduction in size, extent, or importance.

has been dwindling

Suggests a decreasing quantity or supply, often to a critical level.

has been eroding

Implies a gradual wearing away or destruction.

has been collapsing

Indicates a sudden and complete failure or breakdown.

has been plummeting

Conveys a rapid and significant drop or fall.

has been failing

Highlights a lack of success or effectiveness.

has been regressing

Suggests a return to a former or less developed state.

has been degrading

Implies a reduction in quality or moral status.

FAQs

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

Use "has been sinking" to describe a continuous decline or deterioration, as in, "The company's profits "has been sinking" since the new regulations were implemented."

What are some alternatives to "has been sinking"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been declining", "has been deteriorating", or "has been eroding" depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it correct to say "has sunk" instead of "has been sinking"?

While both are grammatically correct, "has sunk" implies a completed action, whereas ""has been sinking"" suggests a continuous process over time. The choice depends on whether the action is ongoing or finished.

What's the difference between "has been sinking" and "is sinking"?

"Has been sinking" describes a process that started in the past and is continuing into the present, while "is sinking" describes something happening right now. For example, "The ship "has been sinking" since yesterday's storm" versus "The ship is sinking right now!"