has contracted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has contracted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has become smaller, tighter, or has reduced in size or scope, often in a medical or business context. Example: "The company has contracted its workforce due to budget cuts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has contracted managerially.

The New York Times

The mood has contracted.

The New York Times

It has contracted politically.

The New York Times

Most of all, the vision has contracted.

The New York Times

A patient has contracted MRSA.

The Guardian

"Our team has contracted somewhat.

The Guardian

Mr. Judt's world, sadly, has contracted considerably.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Obama's sense of possibility has contracted.

The New York Times

The economy has contracted by 14%.

The Guardian - Opinion

To wit: a cow has contracted conjunctivitis.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Net domestic product has contracted before.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic downturns, use "has contracted" to clearly indicate a reduction in economic activity, such as "The economy has contracted for two consecutive quarters."

Common error

Avoid using "has contracted" when you mean "has agreed" or "has signed a contract". Use "has contracted" only when indicating a reduction in size, scope, or the acquisition of an illness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has contracted" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and has relevance in the present. As Ludwig suggests, it's typically used to describe a reduction in size or scope or the acquisition of a disease. For example, "The economy has contracted" or "The patient has contracted MRSA."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has contracted" is a versatile verb phrase primarily used to indicate a reduction in size or scope or the acquisition of an illness. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While its usage is generally neutral to professional, writers should be mindful of the context to avoid confusion with similar phrases like "has agreed" or "has signed". When describing economic downturns or the spread of disease, this phrase provides a clear and concise way to convey information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has diminished

Indicates a reduction in size, scope, or intensity; similar to "has contracted" in contexts of decrease.

has shrunk

Implies a reduction in size or volume, similar to "has contracted" when referring to physical dimensions or economic activity.

has decreased

Refers to a reduction in quantity or degree, analogous to "has contracted" in scenarios involving numbers or values.

has lessened

Suggests a reduction in intensity or severity, similar to "has contracted" when describing the impact of something.

has agreed

Indicates the establishment of a formal agreement, similar to "has contracted" in a legal context.

has undertaken

Suggests that someone has taken some actions or accepted to do an activity, used when discussing agreements or responsibilities.

has become infected

Indicates that someone got infected, similar to "has contracted" when discussing diseases.

has caught

Implies that someone got ill, similar to "has contracted" when discussing diseases.

has acquired

Indicates obtaining something, similar to "has contracted" when talking about illnesses.

has entered into

Suggests that someone has gotten into something, similar to "has contracted" when discussing agreements.

FAQs

How can I use "has contracted" in a sentence?

You can use "has contracted" to describe something that has become smaller, such as "The economy "has contracted"". It can also refer to acquiring a disease, like "He "has contracted" the flu".

What's the difference between "has contracted" and "has signed"?

"Has contracted" implies a decrease or a catching of a disease. "Has signed" means that someone "has entered into a formal agreement", which is a different concept.

What can I say instead of "has contracted" when referring to an illness?

Alternatives include "has caught", "has become infected", or "has acquired", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has contracted" in formal writing?

Yes, it is appropriate. The phrase is commonly used in formal writing, especially in economics, medicine, and business contexts. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.