it has shrunk

USAGE SUMMARY

"it has shrunk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has decreased in size over time. For example: "The shirt that my mother got me last year has shrunk after a few washes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

While trying to broaden its horizons, it has shrunk them; by going global, it has ceased to be local.

The Economist

In drawing two-thirds of the city's uninsured into its care, it has shrunk the number of people without some form of health care to 3percentt of the city's population.

Huffington Post

On its Web site, H&M reports that to save paper, it has shrunk its shipping labels.

The New York Times

It has shrunk its balance sheet by €1 trillion in the past two years, even as the Fed increased its own by $1 trillionn.

The Economist

But it specializes in customized parts ordered by the dozens rather than the thousands, and it has shrunk its delivery time on most orders to just one day.

The New York Times

It has shrunk its search field based on satellite tracking data and analysis of weather and currents, but it still covers an area of 600,000 sq km (230,000 sq miles), roughly the size of Spain and Portugal.

Huffington Post

It is not so much that the party has shifted to the right (although it certainly has not shifted to the left) as that it has shrunk to its core.

The Guardian

While this journey is named "Ride for Climate," the tragedy of the Aral Sea is not due to climate change; it has shrunk to a tenth of its former size due to poor water management.

Huffington Post

At its peak Local 420 had about 20,000 members, but it has shrunk along with the number of workers in the city's public hospitals.

The New York Times

In the last decade it has shrunk from 28 sites to seven and its workforce has fallen from more than 5,000 to 2,000.

The Guardian

It has shrunk from 16 pages, eliminated color and reduced its frequency from every day to once every three days.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has shrunk" when you want to describe a reduction in size, quantity, or scope that has happened over time. It is suitable for both physical objects and abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "shrunk" when "shriveled" is more appropriate. "Shrunk" implies a general reduction in size, whereas "shriveled" suggests a loss of moisture, causing wrinkles and contraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has shrunk" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It indicates that something has undergone a process of decreasing in size or amount, and that this process is completed. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it has shrunk" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a completed reduction in size, amount, or scope. According to Ludwig AI, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media, and encyclopedias. When writing, ensure "it has shrunk" is used to describe a past action with present relevance and differentiate it from similar terms like "shriveled", which indicates a loss of moisture. Remember, according to Ludwig, that the phrase follows standard grammar rules and it can be a very useful tool in your writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has diminished

Replaces "shrunk" with a synonym suggesting a gradual decrease.

it has decreased in size

Rephrases the concept to explicitly state a reduction in size.

it has gotten smaller

Uses a more informal and direct way to indicate a reduction in size.

it has contracted

Implies a reduction in size through a process of drawing together.

it has lessened

Indicates a reduction in degree or intensity, applicable to abstract concepts.

it has waned

Suggests a decline in power, influence, or extent.

it has tapered off

Implies a gradual reduction, often used for quantities or rates.

it has dwindled

Suggests a reduction to a very small amount or size.

it has receded

Implies movement backward, often used for water levels or shorelines, also abstractly.

it has decayed

Suggests a gradual decline in condition, size, or power, often implying deterioration.

FAQs

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

You can use "it has shrunk" to describe a decrease in size, number, or extent. For example, "The company's market share "it has shrunk" due to increased competition."

What is a synonym for "it has shrunk"?

Synonyms for "it has shrunk" include "it has diminished", "it has decreased", or "it has lessened", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it had shrunk" instead of "it has shrunk"?

Yes, "it had shrunk" is grammatically correct, but it implies a different timeline. "It has shrunk" indicates a change that occurred recently or is still relevant, while "it had shrunk" refers to a change completed in the past before another event.

What's the difference between "it has shrunk" and "it is shrinking"?

"It has shrunk" describes a completed action resulting in a current state, whereas "it is shrinking" describes an ongoing process. For instance, "It has shrunk to half its size" versus "it is shrinking every day".