have shrunk

USAGE SUMMARY

'have shrunk' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing a reduction or decrease in size. For example: "The glaciers in the Arctic have shrunk significantly in the last 100 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Food mountains have shrunk.

The Economist

Foreign reserves have shrunk.

The Economist

Earnings have shrunk.

The New York Times

Electricity shortages have shrunk productivity.

The Economist

Fourth, time horizons have shrunk.

The New York Times

Today their numbers have shrunk.

The New York Times

Foreign-exchange reserves have shrunk.

The Economist

The economy may have shrunk.

The Economist

He seemed to have shrunk.

The New Yorker

Certainly, numbers have shrunk.

The New York Times

Profit margins have shrunk or vanished.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have shrunk", ensure the subject and verb agree in number and tense. For example, "The number of employees has shrunk significantly."

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb forms like "have shrinked." The correct past participle of "shrink" is "shrunk".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have shrunk" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It indicates that something has become smaller or reduced in size at some point in the past, with relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have shrunk" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that effectively communicates a reduction in size, quantity, or extent. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its versatile nature makes it suitable for various contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and everyday conversations. The phrase sees frequent usage in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". While alternatives such as "have diminished" or "have decreased" may offer nuanced shades of meaning, "have shrunk" remains a reliable and widely understood choice for expressing the idea of something becoming smaller over time. Remember to avoid the incorrect form "have shrinked".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have reduced

A direct and general term for making something smaller or less.

have diminished

Emphasizes a gradual decrease or reduction, often suggesting a loss in importance or quality.

have declined

Suggests a downward trend or decrease, often in numbers or quality.

have decreased

Indicates a numerical reduction or a decline in quantity or value.

have lessened

Suggests a reduction in intensity, severity, or degree.

have contracted

Implies a reduction in size or scope, often used in economic or physical contexts.

have receded

Implies a movement backward or away, often used in the context of water levels or abstract concepts.

have dwindled

Conveys a sense of gradual decline to a small amount or number.

have compressed

Emphasizes a reduction in volume or space through pressure.

have abated

Indicates a lessening in intensity or strength, particularly of something negative.

FAQs

How do I use "have shrunk" in a sentence?

"Have shrunk" indicates a reduction in size, number, or extent. For example, "The glaciers "have shrunk" considerably due to global warming."

What can I say instead of "have shrunk"?

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

Is it correct to say "have shrinked" instead of "have shrunk"?

No, "have shrinked" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past participle of "shrink" is "shrunk", so the proper form is ""have shrunk"".

What's the difference between ""have shrunk"" and "have contracted"?

"Have shrunk" is a general term for getting smaller. "Have contracted" often implies a reduction in size or scope in a more formal or technical context, such as economics or medicine.