always been

USAGE SUMMARY

"always been" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the continuity of an action or occurrence for a period of time. For example: My family has always been supportive of my decisions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've always been there".

The New York Times

Melky's always been talented".

The New York Times

"I've always been one.

The Economist

"We've always been there.

Independent

They've always been lousy.

The New Yorker

He's always been busy.

The New York Times

They've always been mixed".

The New York Times - Magazine

It's always been relevant".

The New York Times

It's always been rugby.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's always been bipartisan.

The Guardian

It's always been something".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "always been", ensure the subject maintains a consistent state or characteristic throughout the specified time. Avoid using it to describe temporary or fluctuating conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "always been" to describe conditions that are temporary or subject to frequent change. For instance, saying "The weather has always been sunny" in a location known for varied weather is inaccurate and misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always been" functions as part of a perfect tense verb phrase, typically used in the present perfect (has/have always been) or past perfect (had always been). It indicates a state or condition that has existed continuously from a point in the past up to the present or another point in the past. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always been" is a grammatically sound and versatile component of English, commonly used to emphasize the enduring nature of a condition or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it fits seamlessly into various contexts, especially in News & Media. When writing, it’s crucial to ensure its usage accurately reflects continuous states rather than temporary ones. Alternatives like "consistently existed" can be considered for nuanced variations, but "always been" remains a direct and effective choice for stressing continuity. The phrase's high frequency and presence in authoritative sources highlight its importance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently existed

Focuses on the consistent nature of the existence.

invariably remained

Highlights the unchanging state over time.

perpetually persisted

Emphasizes the continuous and ongoing nature of the persistence.

historically prevailed

Points to a historical pattern of prevalence.

traditionally continued

Stresses the continuation as part of a tradition.

uniformly maintained

Highlights the uniformity of the maintenance.

uninterruptedly endured

Focuses on the lack of interruption in the endurance.

steadfastly persevered

Emphasizes the steadfast nature of the perseverance.

continually subsisted

Highlights the ongoing nature of the subsistence.

chronically occurred

Focuses on the chronic nature of the occurrence.

FAQs

How can I use "always been" in a sentence?

Use "always been" to emphasize a continuous state or condition. For instance, "Honesty has "always been" the best policy" indicates that honesty's status as the best policy is enduring.

What are some alternatives to using "always been"?

Alternatives include "consistently existed", "invariably remained", or "perpetually persisted" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "always was" instead of "always been"?

While "always was" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts, "always been" is generally used with perfect tenses to indicate a state that has continued over time. For example, "It has "always been" important to me" is more common and grammatically standard than "It always was important to me" when referring to a sustained value.

What's the difference between "always been" and "has always been"?

"Always been" is a component of the present perfect or past perfect tenses, requiring an auxiliary verb like "has", "have", or "had". "Has "always been"" is a complete verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating something that started in the past and continues to the present. Omitting "has" can be grammatically incorrect unless part of a colloquial contraction.