has been sticky

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been sticky" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or issue that has persisted or remained problematic over time. Example: "The situation with the project has been sticky, causing delays and confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He added: "It's very rare that it's happened and when it has it's a hot point, because it has been sticky to handle.

BBC

McCoist has served his apprenticeship and if his start has been sticky then you may recall that he had years as a player when sections of the support wanted him out the door.

BBC

And in his life, since his firstborn arrived, every situation has been sticky or moist.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Inflation has been stickier than expected, remaining at an annual rate of 1.8% last month, confounding City expectations of a fall to 1.5%.

The Guardian - Business

But for whatever reason, Orkut has been stickier, despite Google not putting a lot of work behind keeping it competitive.

TechCrunch

(There has never been a commercial entertainment that has been "stickier", created more hours of usage in a given year, than World of Warcraft).

TechCrunch

"Both of these ad campaigns have been effective, and they've been sticky," Mr. Franklin said, adding that both candidates are seen more unfavorably than favorably by Wisconsin voters.

The New York Times

"I do believe, in one or two other seasons, there have been sticky moments as well.

BBC

He explained that the dictator label might have been stickier for him in Dallas because he did not have a strong personality to lead the Mavericks on the floor.

The New York Times - Sports

"Obviously, this has been a sticky one over the last 10 years.

The New York Times

And for years, there has been a sticky odor of grease from the kitchen.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation that "has been sticky", provide specific details about the ongoing challenges and their impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been sticky" without providing sufficient context. Clearly explain what the subject is and why it is considered difficult or problematic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been sticky" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing a situation or issue as being difficult, problematic, or resistant to resolution. Ludwig examples show it used to describe situations that are hard to handle or resolve.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been sticky" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to describe a situation or issue that has remained difficult or problematic over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While it's not extremely common, appearing in a range of contexts from news and media to scientific discussions, its usage conveys the ongoing nature of a challenge and the difficulties encountered. Related phrases, such as "has remained difficult" or "has proven problematic", offer alternative ways to express similar ideas. Remember to provide context when using "has been sticky" to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained difficult

Replaces "sticky" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the difficulty that persists.

has proven problematic

Emphasizes the troublesome nature of the situation or issue over time.

has persisted unresolved

Highlights the lack of resolution and the continuation of the problem.

has continued to be a challenge

Focuses on the ongoing difficulty and demanding nature of the situation.

has remained a stumbling block

Illustrates how something prevents smooth progress.

has been an ongoing issue

Simplifies the phrase to describe a continuous problem.

has been a tough situation

Replaces sticky to tough situation, changing the image.

has lingered unresolved

Suggests a problem hanging around without resolution.

has stubbornly resisted

Highlights the difficulty in dealing with something.

has remained complex

Emphasizes the intricacy and lack of easy solutions.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been sticky"?

When something "has been sticky", it means it "has been difficult" or problematic for an extended period, often resisting easy solutions.

What are some alternative ways to say "has been sticky"?

Alternatives include "has remained difficult", "has proven problematic", or "has persisted unresolved", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say something "has been sticky"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "has been sticky" is a common way to describe a situation that "has continued to be a challenge" or has been hard to resolve.

In what contexts is "has been sticky" most appropriate?

The phrase "has been sticky" is suitable in various contexts, including describing business deals, political situations, or personal relationships, where the situation "has remained a stumbling block".