has been sluggish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been sluggish" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has been moving slowly or not progressing quickly. For example, "The global economy has been sluggish for the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But management has been sluggish.

The Economist

Investment across the economy has been sluggish.

The Economist

Desperately needed infrastructure development has been sluggish.

The Economist

Washington's passing game has been sluggish.

The Washington Post

In higher education, the response has been sluggish at best.

University of California, Berkeley

"Some of the growth has been sluggish, even negative".

The New York Times

Most agree that the clean-up has been sluggish.

The Economist

Capital spending has been sluggish and is now falling.

The Economist

The market for perfume has been sluggish in recent years.

The New Yorker

Sales growth in the industry has been sluggish.

The New York Times

And its giant services business has been sluggish.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic trends, consider using "has been sluggish" to convey a sense of slow growth or recovery. Provide specific data or examples to support the claim.

Common error

Avoid using "has been sluggish" as a generic descriptor without providing context. Instead, specify what exactly is sluggish and why, providing evidence to support the claim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been sluggish" functions as a descriptive expression, typically used to characterize a state of slow or reduced activity or progress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been sluggish" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that is moving slowly or lacking momentum. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in contexts ranging from economic reports to project updates. While versatile, it's best used with specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "has been slow" or "has been stagnant" can add nuance, but the core meaning remains consistent: a lack of desired speed or progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been slow

This alternative is a more general and direct way of saying something lacks speed or progress.

has been stagnant

This alternative suggests a complete lack of movement or development, implying a more negative situation.

has been lethargic

This alternative emphasizes a lack of energy or enthusiasm, often implying a temporary condition.

has been weak

This alternative focuses on the lack of strength or effectiveness in performance or progress.

has been subdued

This alternative implies a reduced level of activity or intensity, often due to external factors.

has been lackluster

This alternative suggests a lack of excitement or appeal, often indicating a disappointing performance.

has been feeble

This alternative highlights the ineffectiveness or fragility of progress or activity.

has been idling

This alternative suggests a state of inactivity, like an engine running without moving forward.

has been deteriorating

While it means more than just "sluggish", deteriorating implies a negative trend in the slowing of progress.

has failed to gain momentum

This alternative expresses the idea that something has not been able to accelerate or build up speed.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been sluggish" to describe something that is moving or progressing slowly. For instance, "The economy "has been sluggish" this year."

What are some alternatives to "has been sluggish"?

Alternatives include "has been slow", "has been stagnant", or "has been lethargic", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "has been sluggish" or "is sluggish"?

"Has been sluggish" implies a trend over a period of time, while "is sluggish" describes the current state. The better choice depends on whether you're discussing a continuing trend or a present condition.

What makes "has been sluggish" different from "has been declining"?

"Has been sluggish" indicates slow or stagnant progress, while "has been declining" suggests a decrease or downturn. Sluggishness implies a lack of momentum, whereas decline indicates a reduction in value or quantity.