have been shrunk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been shrunk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been reduced in size or volume, typically in the context of physical objects or materials. Example: "The clothes have been shrunk in the wash, and now they no longer fit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

It feels as if you have been shrunk to the size of a 3-year-old.

The New York Times - Arts

As for all those towering wigs, they have been shrunk to the dimensions of a Park Avenue bouffant.

The New York Times

The trend of shrinking pixel size continue and now a commercially available pixels have been shrunk to 1.0 μm square4.

Nature

Tier 1 visas, for which you don't need a job offer, have been shrunk from 14,000 down to just 1,000 visas per year, and rebadged.

The Guardian

The glades have been shrunk to one-half their original 4,000 square miles by mindless drainage, urban development and pollution from government-aided sugar cane and dairy farming.

The New York Times

Characters who might seem distractingly bigger than life have been shrunk to average proportions, so we can identify with them more fully as creatures of our time and place.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

But domestic supplies have been shrinking.

The Economist

Also, corporate earnings have been shrinking since last summer.

The New York Times

So bowing to budget realities, some programs have been shrinking.

The New York Times

Slowly but surely, toilet paper rolls have been shrinking.

The Washington Post

* Welfare rolls have been shrinking for several years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been shrunk", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced in size, scope, or quantity. For example, "The company's profits have been shrunk due to increased competition."

Common error

Avoid using "have been shrunk" when the intended meaning is a metaphorical reduction in influence or power without a prior physical dimension. Instead, consider terms like "diminished" or "weakened".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been shrunk" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has undergone a reduction in size or extent. This construction is commonly used to describe changes to physical objects or abstract concepts, as evidenced by the examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been shrunk" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that has been reduced in size or scope. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is appropriate for various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While alternatives like "have been reduced" or "have been decreased" exist, "have been shrunk" provides a specific emphasis on the act of shrinking. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies what exactly has undergone the reduction. While generally versatile, avoid using it when referring to a decrease in abstract concepts, and terms like "weakened" or "diminished" may be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been reduced

This alternative is a more general term for decreasing in size or amount.

have been minimized

This alternative focuses on reducing something to the smallest possible size or degree.

have been decreased

Similar to 'reduced', this term specifies a lessening in quantity or degree.

have been diminished

This suggests a reduction in importance or effectiveness, rather than physical size.

have been lessened

This alternative implies a decrease in intensity or severity.

have been contracted

This term indicates a drawing together or shrinking, often used in a physical context.

have been compressed

This implies squeezing something into a smaller space.

have been curtailed

This suggests a restriction or reduction, often in the context of freedom or rights.

have been downsized

This term refers to a reduction in the number of employees or the scale of a business.

have been abridged

This specifically refers to shortening something, usually a text or story.

FAQs

What does it mean when something is described as having been shrunk?

When something is described as having been shrunk, it means that it has been reduced in size or amount. The extent of the reduction can vary, from a slight decrease to a significant change.

What can I say instead of "have been shrunk"?

You can use alternatives like "have been reduced", "have been decreased", or "have been minimized" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "have been shrunk down"?

While not strictly incorrect, "have been shrunk down" can be redundant. The word "shrunk" already implies a reduction in size. Using just "have been shrunk" is generally clearer and more concise.

Which is the correct usage, "have been shrunk" or "has been shrunk"?

"Have been shrunk" is used with plural subjects, while "has been shrunk" is used with singular subjects. For example, "The clothes have been shrunk" (plural) vs. "The shirt has been shrunk" (singular).