has been small

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been small" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or quantity that has remained small over a period of time. Example: "The company's market share has been small compared to its competitors for several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

JOHANNESBURG — It has been small stuff, mostly.

The New York Times

Ground settling has been small and very limited in area.

Princeton University

But so far, the impact has been small.

The New York Times

So far the human toll has been small but significant.

The New York Times

Others believe the effect has been small or nonexistent.

The Economist

Yet Mr Santer's own contribution to them has been small.

The Economist

The actual number of students leaving the school has been small.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Another casualty has been small-town golf courses, many of which were already struggling.

The New York Times

So far, most research on counseling has been small-scale and qualitative due to the difficulty of obtaining data.

Stanford University

One bright spot in the recent trading pattern has been small-caps.

Forbes

In Nevada and Delaware the impact has been smaller.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been small", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and why its smallness is relevant. For example, specify if you are referring to size, impact, quantity, or extent.

Common error

Avoid using "has been small" when the subject is actually significant or impactful. Ensure your assessment aligns with the available evidence; otherwise, it can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been small" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically acting as a predicate adjective modifying a subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, highlighting the limited size, impact, or extent of something over time. It often appears in declarative sentences to convey a sense of minimal influence or growth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

29%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been small" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe something limited in size, impact, or extent over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic discussions. While its register is generally neutral, it's crucial to ensure that its usage accurately reflects the described situation to maintain credibility. The phrase appears predominantly in News & Media and Science contexts, demonstrating its versatility across different domains. Alternatives such as "has remained insignificant" or "has been relatively minor" can be used to add nuance or specificity based on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been relatively minor

Uses "minor" to convey a lesser degree of importance or impact.

has remained insignificant

Focuses on the lack of significance rather than size.

has been on the low side

Suggests a numerical or quantitative value is less than expected.

has proven to be limited

Emphasizes the restriction or constraint.

has not been substantial

Highlights the lack of considerable effect.

has stayed comparatively low

Emphasizes a state of being below average relative to something else.

has had a reduced effect

Focuses on a diminished influence.

has experienced minimal change

Focuses on the lack of significant alteration or transformation.

has been of little consequence

Indicates that the outcome was not important.

has not grown significantly

Highlights the lack of significant increase or expansion.

FAQs

What does "has been small" mean?

The phrase "has been small" indicates that something has remained limited in size, impact, or extent over a period of time. It suggests a lack of significant growth or influence.

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

You can use "has been small" to describe the limited impact of an action, the reduced size of an object, or the minimal amount of something. For example, "The impact of the new policy "has been small" so far."

What are some alternatives to "has been small"?

Alternatives to "has been small" include phrases like "has remained insignificant", "has been relatively minor", or "has not been substantial", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "has been small" and "has been limited"?

"Has been small" typically refers to size or quantity, whereas "has been limited" suggests a restriction or constraint. While both can overlap, "has been limited" often implies an imposed or inherent boundary.