have been chronically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been chronically" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a condition or situation that has persisted over a long period of time, often in a negative context. Example: "They have been chronically underfunded, which has affected their ability to provide essential services."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Although this is a cross-sectional study and the biomarkers of exposure used do not represent chronic exposure, we can infer from the participants' residential history that they have been chronically exposed, although exposures may have varied throughout their lives.

Environmental Health Perspectives

"Stocks have been chronically undervalued assets," Mr. Siegel said.

The New York Times

Adult anorexics who have been chronically ill for years havemuch poorer prognoses than teenagers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Standardized test scores at the three schools have been chronically low.

The New York Times

Mr. Morton, of the United Nations, said schools, hospitals and clinics all contain what the Korean government calls "weak children," children who have been chronically underfed.

The New York Times

Sydney had refused the help of social services – but even if he hadn't, experience says the aid given would have been chronically short of what he required.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The industry's return on capital has been chronically anaemic.

The Economist

When the narrator was a child, his father divorced and remarried; he has been chronically unfaithful.

The New Yorker

Though it has substantial energy resources, India has been chronically short of power for decades.

The New York Times

Officials say the group has been chronically underfinanced from the start.

The New York Times

For too long research into new antibiotics has been chronically underfunded.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been chronically", ensure that the context clearly indicates a long-term or recurring issue. Avoid using it for short-term or acute situations.

Common error

Avoid using "have been chronically" to describe situations that are temporary or recent. The term implies a long-standing condition, so using it inappropriately can mislead your reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been chronically" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically a present perfect continuous passive construction. It describes a state or condition that has persisted over a significant period of time. This is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been chronically" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to describe persistent conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, signaling its suitability for formal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure that the situation you're describing has indeed persisted over time. Related phrases like "have long suffered from" or "have persistently experienced" can offer alternative ways to express similar meanings, adjusting the emphasis slightly. Avoiding its use in temporary situations is crucial to maintaining clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have long suffered from

Replaces "chronically" with a phrase indicating prolonged suffering.

have persistently experienced

Substitutes "been chronically" with a more descriptive term for ongoing experience.

have continually faced

Replaces "been chronically" with an emphasis on continuous confrontation with something.

have regularly encountered

Changes "been chronically" to highlight the regularity of encountering a situation.

have consistently dealt with

Replaces "been chronically" to indicate consistent handling of a situation.

have a history of

Offers a broader perspective by focusing on the historical aspect of a condition.

have a longstanding problem with

Highlights that the phrase indicates that something is a longstanding problem.

have indured persistently

Highlights that the phrase indicates the state of something that indured persistently.

have sustained

Provides similar information, focusing on the state of what's sustained.

have been in a constant state of

Adds a sense of ongoing and unchanging condition.

FAQs

How can I use "have been chronically" in a sentence?

The phrase "have been chronically" is used to describe something that has been happening for a long time. For example, "The system "has been chronically" underfunded."

What are some alternatives to "have been chronically"?

Alternatives include "have long suffered from", "have persistently experienced", or "have continually faced", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been chronically"?

Yes, "has been chronically" is grammatically correct when the subject is singular. For example, "The hospital "has been chronically" short-staffed."

What's the difference between "have been chronically" and "have been acutely"?

"Have been chronically" describes a long-term or recurring condition, whereas "have been acutely" describes a severe or sudden condition. They are opposites in terms of duration and intensity.