it has essentially been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it has essentially been' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the status of something that has transitioned from one state to another. For example: "The river has essentially been filled with lily pads, creating an almost magical scene."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

So leave them to it, has essentially been my philosophy.

Independent

Though the statute remains in effect, a broad swath of the Catalan public feels it has essentially been gutted.

The New York Times

Fifa finds itself in this gross muddle because it has essentially been unable to keep up with the pace of change.

Independent

Historians initially challenged this dismal view of the 1780's early in the 20th century, and it has essentially been dead for at least 50 years.

The New York Times

But in those early days, and in truth ever since, it has essentially been about Live Forever, the single most important single of my life.

The Guardian - Music

Throughout the campaign, the candidates have talked a great deal about energy, but it has essentially been a competition in who could heap the most praise on fossil fuels.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

After applying it, the device has essentially been bricked.

Forbes

"That door has essentially been shut".

The New York Times

"Intraday volatility has essentially been nonexistent.

The New York Times

The disease has essentially been eradicated in high-income countries.

Columbia University

If it had gone ahead, the writer Dan Hancox argued, it would have essentially been live action gentrification for entertainment purposes.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has essentially been" to indicate a transformation or simplification of a situation, process, or concept. It's effective when you want to convey that the core nature or function has remained, even with modifications.

Common error

Avoid using "it has essentially been" when describing minor changes or superficial aspects. The phrase implies a significant shift in the fundamental nature of something, not just a slight modification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has essentially been" functions as a qualifier or modifier. It indicates that something has undergone a transformation or simplification, representing its core nature or function. Ludwig AI confirms this usage based on numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

24%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has essentially been" serves as a qualifier, indicating a significant transformation or simplification while retaining the core essence. It is grammatically sound and considered correct, according to Ludwig AI. Its occurrence is moderately common, and its register is neutral, suitable across various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that the change being described is substantial and not merely a superficial alteration. Alternatives include "it has basically been" or "it has largely been" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has basically been

Replaces "essentially" with "basically", indicating a similar level of approximation or simplification.

it has effectively been

Substitutes "essentially" with "effectively", conveying that something has the intended result, even if not perfectly.

it has largely been

Substitutes "essentially" with "largely", suggesting that something is mainly or mostly the case.

it has primarily been

Uses "primarily" instead of "essentially", indicating that something is mainly or chiefly the case.

it has practically been

Replaces "essentially" with "practically", implying that something is true in effect, if not strictly in fact.

it has mostly been

Replaces "essentially" with "mostly", suggesting that something is true for the most part.

it has fundamentally been

Replaces "essentially" with "fundamentally", suggesting that something is true at its core or in its most important respects.

it has virtually been

Uses "virtually" instead of "essentially", suggesting that something is almost entirely the case.

it has substantially been

Substitutes "essentially" with "substantially", implying that something is true to a considerable degree.

it has nearly been

Replaces "essentially" with "nearly", indicating that something is close to being the case.

FAQs

How can I use "it has essentially been" in a sentence?

Use "it has essentially been" to indicate that something has transformed or simplified to its core nature. For example, "The training program "it has essentially been" streamlined to focus on key skills."

What are some alternatives to "it has essentially been"?

You can use alternatives like "it has basically been", "it has largely been", or "it has effectively been" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "essentially" with "basically" in the phrase "it has basically essentially been"?

Yes, using "essentially" and "basically" together is redundant. Choose one or the other to avoid unnecessary repetition. "It has essentially been" or "It has basically been" are both acceptable, but not both together.

What's the difference between "it has essentially been" and "it is essentially"?

"It has essentially been" describes a past transformation that continues to the present, while "it is essentially" describes the current nature of something. For example, "The project "it has essentially been" redesigned" (past transformation), vs. "The project "it is essentially" a redesign" (current state).