has been watered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been watered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something, typically a plant, has received water in the past and is still in that state of having been watered. Example: "The garden looks vibrant because it has been watered regularly this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The talent pool has been watered down.

The Guardian - Film

Alternative culture has been watered down, commoditised and packaged.

Independent

Sow green manures into bare ground that has been watered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And since then the definition has been watered down.

The New Yorker

The so-called Volcker Rule has been watered down and delayed.

University of California, Berkeley

And also why Dodd-Frank has been watered down into vapidity.

University of California, Berkeley

His report has been watered down too far and delayed too much.

The Guardian - Opinion

A tax reform that would have raised government revenues has been watered down.

The Economist

Banking union has been watered down to the point where it is grossly insufficient.

The New York Times

It is true, though, that the term "mutual" has been watered down in some countries.

The Guardian - Opinion

Once the most flavorful of compact cars, the Civic has been watered down like a cheap margarita.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been watered" in a figurative sense, ensure the context clearly indicates the dilution or weakening of a concept, idea, or regulation, and not literal watering.

Common error

Avoid using "has been watered" when a more precise term like "has been revised" or "has been modified" would better convey the intended meaning, especially in formal or technical writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been watered" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject has received the action of watering. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used both literally, referring to the application of water, and figuratively, to describe the dilution or weakening of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science & Research

5%

Forbes

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been watered" is a versatile expression used both literally and figuratively. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and frequently encountered in various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. Figuratively, it suggests a dilution or weakening, while literally, it refers to the act of providing water. Understanding its dual nature and nuances is crucial for effective communication. Ludwig AI examples show that the phrase is particularly common in News & Media, Academia, and Lifestyle content, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been diluted

Focuses on the idea of making something weaker or less potent, similar to watering down a drink.

has been weakened

Emphasizes the reduction in strength or effectiveness, applicable to abstract concepts.

has been thinned out

Suggests a decrease in density or concentration, applicable to both literal and figurative contexts.

has been irrigated

Specifically refers to the agricultural process of supplying water to land or crops.

has been saturated

Implies that something is completely filled or soaked with water, going beyond a simple watering.

has been dampened

Suggests a slight moistening, a less intense version of watering.

has been attenuated

Highlights the reduction in force or intensity, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

has been tempered

Indicates a moderation or softening of something, reducing its intensity.

has been softened

Focuses on making something less harsh or severe, similar to diluting a strong flavor.

has been modulated

Highlights the regulation or adjustment of something, often implying a reduction in intensity.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been watered down"?

When something "has been watered down", it means it has been weakened or diluted, often referring to regulations, ideas, or concepts that have lost their original strength or impact. In literal contexts, it means water has been added.

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

You can use "has been watered" in a sentence to describe something that has literally received water (e.g., "The garden has been watered") or figuratively to describe something weakened (e.g., "The policy has been watered down").

What is a synonym for the phrase "has been watered down"?

Synonyms for "has been watered down" include "has been diluted", "has been weakened", or "has been thinned out", depending on the specific context.

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

Both "has been watered" and "was watered" are grammatically correct, but they imply slightly different things. "Has been watered" suggests a state that continues to the present (e.g., the grass is still wet), while "was watered" refers to a completed action in the past (e.g., the plants were watered yesterday).