has been stacked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been stacked" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been arranged or piled in a stack, often referring to physical objects or data. Example: "The boxes have been stacked neatly in the corner of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

On the other hand, the emotional deck has been stacked to some extent.

The New York Times

For too long the deck has been stacked against noncitizen workers.

The New York Times

The economic deck has been stacked against African Americans from the start.

The Washington Post

But it may also be possible that the deck has been stacked against failing schools, which are given the most students with problems.

The New York Times

Continuing the political and constitutional wrangling of the last two years, Chaudhry has now claimed that the supreme court has been stacked with supporters of Mr Qarase.

The Guardian

So it's safe to say that the College of Cardinals has been stacked to ensure that their linea gotica continues moving backward.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

East has been stacking the deck, and now this organization is doing that too.

The New York Times - Sports

In the past year or so, Mr Bashir's ruling party has been stacking the odds in its own favour.

The Economist

It was a memorable night for a player who has been stacking highlights on a national and international scale.

The New York Times - Sports

While Apple has been stacking the cash in various vaults, the company is also growing its debt pool.

TechCrunch

Pyramids of firewood had been stacked for evening bonfires.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been stacked" metaphorically, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being unfairly or intentionally arranged. For example, "The odds have been stacked against small businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "has been stacked" in literal contexts where "has been piled" or "has been arranged" would be more appropriate. "Has been stacked" typically implies manipulation or unfair advantage, not simply physical arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been stacked" functions as a passive construction within a sentence, often employed metaphorically to convey a sense of unfairness or manipulation. It suggests that circumstances have been arranged in a way that disadvantages a particular person or group. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been stacked" is a versatile expression used to describe situations where conditions are unfairly arranged. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct, with common usage in news, media and scientific contexts to depict manipulation. When using "has been stacked", it's important to ensure clarity and appropriateness. Consider closely related alternatives such as ""has been rigged"" or ""has been manipulated"" to adjust the nuance of your message accordingly. Remember that mastering the metaphorical meaning is critical to correctly utilize the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been rigged

Focuses on intentional manipulation for a predetermined outcome.

has been manipulated

Emphasizes control and influence, often with a negative connotation.

has been prearranged

Highlights that something was planned or set up in advance.

has been fixed

Suggests an outcome was predetermined, often illegally or unethically.

has been tailored

Implies something has been specifically designed to suit a particular purpose or person.

has been biased

Indicates a lack of impartiality or fairness.

has been predisposed

Highlights a tendency or inclination towards something.

has been weighted

Implies that certain factors have been given more importance or influence.

has been adjusted

Focuses on the act of modifying something to achieve a desired result.

has been ordered

Emphasizes that something was prepared with intent for a specific outcome.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been stacked" to describe a situation where conditions or factors have been unfairly arranged to favor one party over another. For example, "The deck "has been stacked" against underprivileged students in the college admissions process."

What can I say instead of "has been stacked"?

Alternatives to "has been stacked" include "has been rigged", "has been manipulated", or "has been biased", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "the deck is stacked" or "the deck has been stacked"?

Both "the deck is stacked" and "the deck "has been stacked"" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The latter implies a process or action that led to the current state, while the former describes the current state itself.

What does it mean when someone says "the deck has been stacked against me"?

Saying "the deck "has been stacked" against me" means that circumstances or conditions have been unfairly arranged to make it difficult or impossible for you to succeed.