has been stifled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been stifled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something has been suppressed or restricted over a period of time. Example: "The artist's creativity has been stifled by the lack of support from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Dissent has been stifled.

The Economist

The press has been "stifled".

The Economist

Diversity has been stifled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Creativity on Wall Street, she says, has been stifled.

The Guardian - Business

Growth has been stifled, demand suppressed and investment stalled.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unemployment is still rampant, there is little money flowing to small businesses, entrepreneurship has been stifled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

South Carolina's defense has been stifling and has held Florida to 13 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

The New York Times

But the chaste literalism that we're used to, and that has been stifling classical music, is also make-believe -- and, for early music, the greater anachronism.

The New York Times - Arts

LONDON — The heat has been stifling, and not just outside, where the temperature on Thursday approached 90 degrees for the third consecutive day.

The New York Times

Given what investors already know, they would be unwise to assume that all of the skeletons have been exhumed from the banks' closets.Many people have been arguing that "uncertainty" has been stifling business investment and depressing equity prices.

The Economist

But USC's porous defense and LSU's punchless offense makes folks wonder if the home teams have a shot against, respectively, an offensive juggernaut and a team with a defense that has been stifling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been stifled" to describe situations where progress, expression, or development has been actively suppressed or significantly hindered over time.

Common error

Avoid using "has been stifled" when an active voice construction would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "Innovation has been stifled by bureaucracy", consider "Bureaucracy stifled innovation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been stifled" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something (the subject) has been subjected to an action that suppresses or hinders its development. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been stifled" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that conveys the suppression or hindrance of something's development. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When writing, consider whether an active voice might be more impactful and choose synonyms carefully to reflect the precise nuance you intend. Understanding these nuances helps refine your writing and ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been suppressed

Focuses more directly on the act of preventing something from being expressed or known.

has been hindered

Emphasizes the slowing down or obstruction of progress or action.

has been constrained

Highlights the limitation or restriction of something's freedom or scope.

has been restricted

Indicates that something has been subjected to rules or limits.

has been repressed

Implies a forceful suppression, often of emotions or desires.

has been curtailed

Suggests a reduction or cutting short of something.

has been subdued

Conveys a sense of being brought under control or made less intense.

has been checked

Emphasizes that something has been stopped or restrained.

has been impeded

Focuses on the act of making it difficult for something to advance or succeed.

has been smothered

Implies a complete suppression, as if something has been covered and prevented from developing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has been stifled" is used to describe something that has been suppressed or restrained. For example: "The debate has been stifled in Britain more successfully than anywhere else in the free world".

What are some alternatives to saying "has been stifled"?

You can use alternatives like "has been suppressed", "has been hindered", or "has been constrained" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "has been stifled" or "was stifled"?

Both "has been stifled" and "was stifled" are grammatically correct, but they imply different time frames. "Was stifled" refers to a single event in the past, while "has been stifled" suggests a condition that started in the past and continues to the present.

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

"Has been stifled" implies a forceful suppression or prevention, whereas "has been limited" suggests a restriction in scope or quantity. Stifling is more about preventing something from happening, while limiting is about controlling the extent to which it happens.