have diminished

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have diminished" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has decreased or reduced in size, amount, or intensity over time. Example: "The number of participants in the event has diminished significantly compared to last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The crowds have diminished.

Independent

Civil liberties have diminished.

The Economist

Supplies of goods have diminished.

The New Yorker

Political meddling and match-fixing have diminished.

The Economist

Rules have diminished that incentive.

The Washington Post

But the riots have diminished it.

The Economist

That would have diminished it.

The Guardian - Travel

Meanwhile, inflationary pressures have diminished appreciably.

The New York Times

Certainly, his following seems to have diminished.

The New York Times

Nor do they have diminished individuality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The trade unions have diminished in size and influence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have diminished" to describe a gradual reduction in something over time. Ensure the subject experiencing the reduction is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have diminished" with subjects that cannot logically decrease. For instance, saying "the idea has diminished" is less effective than "the popularity of the idea has diminished".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have diminished" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates that something has decreased or reduced in size, amount, or intensity over time. Ludwig examples confirm its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have diminished" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that something has decreased over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's applicable across a range of contexts, from news and media to academia and science. While it is appropriate for many situations, it's important to use it with concrete subjects to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "have decreased" or "have lessened" can be used for similar meaning. Considering its widespread use and clear communicative function, mastering the use of "have diminished" will improve writing clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have decreased

Direct synonym indicating a reduction in quantity or intensity.

have lessened

Similar to 'decreased' but can imply a reduction in significance or impact.

have declined

Suggests a downward trend, often used for abstract concepts like influence or quality.

have waned

Implies a gradual fading or weakening, often used for emotions or light.

have receded

Suggests a retreat or withdrawal, suitable for describing water levels or influence.

have shrunk

Indicates a reduction in size or volume, suitable for physical objects or abstract quantities.

have attenuated

Formal term suggesting a weakening or reduction in force or intensity.

have subsided

Suggests a calming down or reduction in intensity, often used for emotions or storms.

have faded

Implies a loss of color, brightness, or intensity, often used metaphorically.

have deteriorated

Indicates a decline in quality or condition, often used for physical objects or health.

FAQs

How can I use "have diminished" in a sentence?

You can use "have diminished" to indicate a reduction in quantity, quality, or intensity over time. For example, "The crowd's enthusiasm "has diminished" as the performance went on".

What are some alternatives to "have diminished"?

Alternatives include "have decreased", "have lessened", or "have declined" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has diminished" instead of "have diminished"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "has diminished" for singular subjects (e.g., "the light has diminished"), and "have diminished" for plural subjects (e.g., "the opportunities have diminished").

What's the difference between "have diminished" and "have disappeared"?

"Have diminished" implies a gradual reduction, while "have disappeared" suggests a complete vanishing. The former indicates a decrease, and the latter indicates a complete absence.