has been weaker

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been weaker" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that has diminished in strength or effectiveness over a period of time. Example: "The team's performance has been weaker this season compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

And job growth has been weaker than first thought.

The New York Times

Occupancy has been weaker in October, traditionally one of the strongest months".

The New York Times

Usage has been weaker than you'd have expected at this stage of the economic cycle.

The Guardian - Business

While it is strong in sales of corn and soybeans, it has been weaker in cotton.

The New York Times

Although the American economy is now bowling along, the euro area has been weaker than expected.

The Economist

His performance has been weaker than those who endorsed his candidacy, including this newspaper, had hoped.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Investment has been weak.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And the middle market has been weak".

The New York Times

(Since then, business has been weak).

The New Yorker

The European response has been weak.

The Economist

The firm's cashflow has been weak.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been weaker", ensure you provide context to explain what is being compared against (e.g., "Performance has been weaker this quarter compared to last quarter").

Common error

Avoid using "has been weaker" without clearly specifying what the subject is weaker than. This can lead to ambiguity and confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been weaker" functions as a comparative descriptor, indicating a decline or reduction in a specific attribute or state over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been weaker" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a decline or reduction in strength, performance, or effectiveness over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and business domains. While versatile, it's important to provide context to ensure clarity in comparisons. Alternatives such as "has declined", "has deteriorated", and "has diminished" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Overall, mastering the use of "has been weaker" and its alternatives will enhance your ability to express comparative declines effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has declined

Implies a gradual decrease or deterioration. Focuses on the process of becoming weaker.

has deteriorated

Suggests a worsening condition, often implying damage or decay.

has diminished

Indicates a reduction in size, extent, or importance.

has lessened

Implies a decrease in intensity or degree.

has softened

Suggests a reduction in harshness or severity.

has faded

Implies a gradual loss of color, strength, or distinctness.

has flagged

Indicates a loss of energy or enthusiasm.

has slumped

Suggests a sudden or significant decline.

has waned

Implies a gradual decrease in power or influence.

has tapered off

Indicates a gradual reduction in amount or intensity.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been weaker" to indicate a decline in strength, performance, or effectiveness. For example, "The economy's growth "has been weaker" than expected this year".

What are some alternatives to "has been weaker"?

Some alternatives include "has declined", "has deteriorated", or "has diminished", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "has been weaker" or "is weaker"?

"Has been weaker" indicates a change over time, while "is weaker" describes a current state. Use "has been weaker" when comparing a past state to the present; use "is weaker" when simply stating a current condition. For example: The tea is weaker today compared to last week or The tea has been weaker since last week.

What's the difference between "has been weaker" and "was weaker"?

"Has been weaker" implies a continuing state or a recent change that persists. "Was weaker" refers to a state that existed in the past but may not be true now. The choice depends on whether the weaker state is still relevant or ongoing. For example: Sales has been weaker this month compared to last month. OR Sales was weaker last month (but are not anymore).