has only been

USAGE SUMMARY

'has only been' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate something that has just recently happened, or something that is only temporary or short-term. For example, "She has only been living here since last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since then, he has only been cheered.

The New York Times - Sports

It has only been nibbled once.

The New York Times

(It has only been six days).

The New Yorker

It has only been four years, mind.

The Guardian - Film

It has only been two weeks.

The New Yorker

It has only been in operation since 1995.

The New York Times

Its existence has only been inferred by its gravitational effects.

Independent

There has only been a modest increase so far.

The Economist

He has only been outscored by an opposing player once.

The New York Times

So far, the UK has only been a minor partner.

Independent

"There has only been two meetings to discuss this.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has only been" to accurately convey that something is recent, limited, or in an initial stage. Be mindful of the context to ensure it effectively communicates the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "has only been" when you intend to express a complete lack of something. This phrase indicates partial completion or a short duration, not a complete absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has only been" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating a state or action that started recently and/or is limited in scope. As noted by Ludwig, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has only been" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate recency, limitation, or an initial stage. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and formal communication. While it is important to remember that this phrasing is not suitable in situations that require emphasis on the complete absence of something, you may consider alternatives like "has just been" or "has merely been" depending on the specific shade of meaning you are aiming for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has just been

Indicates that something occurred very recently; emphasizes immediacy more strongly than "has only been".

it has recently been

Similar to "has only been", but puts the emphasis on the recency of the action or state.

has merely been

Emphasizes the insignificance or limited extent of something, contrasting with "has only been" which is more neutral.

has simply been

Highlights the simplicity or lack of complication in a situation, while "has only been" focuses on duration or limitation.

has exclusively been

Signifies that something has been limited to a specific area or group.

has solely been

Emphasizes that something is uniquely attributed to a particular cause or agent, adding a sense of exclusivity.

has partially been

Indicates that something is incomplete or not fully realized.

there has only been

Focuses on the existence of a limited quantity or number of things, changing the emphasis from an action to a count.

has only just started

Emphasizes the beginning stage of an action, shifting the focus from limitation to initiation.

is still quite new

Expresses that something is in its early stages of development or implementation.

FAQs

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

Use "has only been" to indicate that something has existed or occurred for a limited time. For example, "The project "has only been" running for three months".

What can I say instead of "has only been"?

You can use alternatives like "has just been", "has merely been", or "has simply been" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "has only been"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the recent start or limited scope of an action, event, or existence. For instance, "She "has only been" working here since January".

What's the difference between "has only been" and "has recently been"?

"Has only been" focuses on the short duration or the limited nature of something, while "has recently been" specifically emphasizes the recency of the event. Both convey the idea of something new or recent, but "has recently been" puts more weight on the timing.