have been downsized

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been downsized" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where someone has lost their job due to their company or organization cutting down on its workforce. Example: "After the company was acquired by a larger corporation, many employees have been downsized, leaving only a fraction of the original staff remaining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But lately, the major parties have been downsized.

The Washington Post

People who have been downsized in other work seem to like owning franchises.

The New York Times

Law enforcement officials, especially in local forces that have been downsized during the financial crisis, say they lack the resources to go after grow houses.

The New York Times

They have been downsized just a smidgen and modernized to the hilt, and they are usually attached to the development by a discretionary umbilical cord — a private door to an attended lobby.

The New York Times

At the moment, there is a particularly noticeable influx of refugees from Wall Street, dot-com companies and other corporations who have been downsized out of jobs or have seen their employers disappear altogether.

The New York Times

Just in time for this year's season, when office parties have been downsized out of existence and new party frocks seem like the old black, a company called Rent the Runway has proposed a different model.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Airlines in the United States have been downsizing since last year, struggling to match supply with falling demand.

The New York Times

OVER the last few years, Sara and Matt Janssen have been downsizing their life.

The New York Times - Travel

The traditional practitioners of this craft — mainly newspapers — have been downsizing or declaring bankruptcy.

The New York Times

To be sure, many companies have been downsizing, and conservatives often say that just as the private sector has cut back, so must the federal government.

Princeton University

But as airlines have grown more aggressive about adjusting capacity to meet demand, carriers have been downsizing to smaller shuttle planes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using "have been downsized" is appropriate in formal and business settings. The term presents an air of professionalism and objectivity when discussing workforce reduction. For example, "Several divisions have been downsized to improve efficiency and reduce cost."

Common error

While "downsized" is a common euphemism for layoffs, be mindful of excessive use of euphemisms when communicating sensitive information. In direct communications, balance sensitivity with clarity. For example, rather than saying "The team has been downsized", consider adding context: "The team has been downsized to improve efficiency. Affected employees will receive support during the transition."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been downsized" functions as a verb phrase in the passive voice. It describes an action that has been performed on a subject, indicating that the subject (e.g., employees, departments) has experienced a reduction in size or number. Ludwig confirms this is a common way to describe workforce reductions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been downsized" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It primarily functions as a passive verb phrase used to describe a reduction in size or number, often in the context of organizational restructuring or workforce reductions. It is most frequently found in News & Media, with a neutral to professional register. While "downsized" serves as a euphemism for layoffs, clarity is essential when communicating about sensitive topics. Consider direct alternatives like "have lost their jobs" if appropriate. Ensure the context clarifies what is being reduced and use the phrase professionally.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been reduced in size

Focuses on the physical reduction, applicable to objects or organizations.

have experienced layoffs

Specifically refers to the reduction of employees in a company.

have been made redundant

Indicates job loss due to position elimination, common in British English.

have been streamlined

Implies a more efficient reduction, often focusing on processes.

have been scaled back

Suggests a reduction in overall operations or production.

have been trimmed down

Indicates a reduction, often in a less drastic or precise manner.

have been cut back

Emphasizes a decrease in resources or expenditure.

have been rationalized

Suggests a restructuring to become more efficient, potentially involving job losses.

have been rightsized

Implies an adjustment to the ideal size, often involving downsizing.

have been reorganized

Focuses on structural changes, which may include downsizing.

FAQs

What does "have been downsized" mean?

The phrase "have been downsized" indicates that a company or organization has reduced its workforce, leading to job losses. It's a common euphemism for layoffs or terminations due to restructuring or economic reasons.

Is "have been downsized" the same as "have been laid off"?

While similar, "have been downsized" typically implies a more permanent reduction in workforce size, often due to restructuring. "Have been laid off" can also be temporary, such as during seasonal downturns, though both result in job loss.

What can I say instead of "have been downsized" to sound more direct?

To be more direct, you can use phrases like "have lost their jobs", "have been terminated", or "have been let go", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

How does "have been downsized" differ from "have been reorganized"?

"Have been reorganized" suggests a change in the structure or management of a company, which may or may not involve job losses. "Have been downsized" specifically refers to a reduction in the number of employees.