it has retreated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has retreated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has moved back or withdrawn from a previous position or state. Example: "After the storm, the floodwaters have receded, and it has retreated to its original banks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Deben also stuck up for the coalition following accusations that it has retreated from its aims of being the "greenest government ever" by moving to reduce the burden of environmental taxes on energy bills and cut subsidies for renewables.

The Guardian

Every year since then, it has retreated even more.

The New Yorker

Since then it has retreated, though not very far.

Independent

Nevertheless, it has retreated from threats made in January to deport all foreign workers.

The Economist

The palaeoclimate record shows, however, that it has retreated during previous episodes of prolonged warmth.

Nature

For the past 15 years, he said, it has retreated an average of nearly 200 feet per year.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The prospect of another imminent explosion was still there in everyone's mind, but it had retreated into the background.

The New York Times

On the Coffee, Sugar and Cocoa Exchange in New York, coffee for July delivery reached nearly $1.04 a pound after the agreement, but by last Friday it had retreated to $99.2 cents a pound.

The New York Times

Since Putin stole the 2011 election, and the subsequent protest movement was suppressed, the young people who took part in it have retreated into an angry silence.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sea had disappeared now; it had retreated as far as the horizon, as if it had flowed into a hole that led to the center of the earth.

The New Yorker

The water rose to the level of the goalpost crossbars at Brunton Park but by yesterday it had retreated, leaving a soggy, silt-clogged playing area and an inch of cloying mud in front of the manager's dugout.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has retreated" to describe a situation where something has moved back from a previous position or intensity. Ensure the context aligns with the idea of withdrawal, either physical or abstract.

Common error

Avoid using "it has retreated" when describing something that cannot return to its previous state. For example, avoid saying "time has retreated", as time progresses linearly and does not reverse or withdraw.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has retreated" functions as a statement indicating a movement away from a previous position or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it has retreated" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a movement back from a previous position or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows for application across numerous contexts, most notably in news and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the concept of withdrawal and avoid applying it to scenarios where reversal is impossible. Consider alternatives like "it has withdrawn" or "it has receded" to add nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has withdrawn

Replaces "retreated" with "withdrawn", emphasizing a more deliberate or formal withdrawal.

it has pulled back

Substitutes "retreated" with "pulled back", suggesting a tactical or strategic withdrawal.

it has receded

Uses "receded" instead of "retreated", often used in the context of water levels or abstract concepts diminishing.

it has fallen back

Replaces "retreated" with "fallen back", implying a forced or defensive withdrawal.

it has backed down

Substitutes "retreated" with "backed down", indicating a yielding or concession from a previous stance.

it has regressed

Uses "regressed" instead of "retreated", suggesting a return to a former, less developed state.

it has diminished

Replaces "retreated" with "diminished", focusing on a reduction in size, importance, or intensity.

it has decreased

Substitutes "retreated" with "decreased", highlighting a quantitative reduction.

it has subsided

Uses "subsided" instead of "retreated", often used to describe the lessening of intensity or activity.

it has waned

Replaces "retreated" with "waned", indicating a gradual decline or fading away.

FAQs

What does "it has retreated" mean?

The phrase "it has retreated" means that something has moved back or withdrawn from a previous position, condition, or level. It suggests a movement away from a place or state.

How can I use "it has retreated" in a sentence?

You can use "it has retreated" to describe various scenarios, such as "The army "has retreated" from the battlefield" or "The floodwaters "have retreated" from the town".

What are some alternatives to saying "it has retreated"?

Alternatives to "it has retreated" include "it has withdrawn", "it has receded", and "it has pulled back". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it has retreated" formal or informal?

"It has retreated" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject and surrounding language.