always has been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "always has been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has consistently been true from the past up to the present. Example: "This city always has been a hub of innovation and creativity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Always is, always has been.

The New York Times

There always has been.

The New York Times

He always has been".

The New York Times - Sports

And there always has been".

Independent

It nearly always has been.

The Economist

Watson always has been.

The Guardian - Sport

"She always has been.

The New York Times - Sports

"It always has been, always will be".

The New York Times - Sports

That is as it always has been.

The Economist

But, then, it always has been.

The New York Times - Arts

He always has been careful on spending.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "always has been" to emphasize the enduring nature of a characteristic or state. It adds a sense of historical continuity to your statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "always has been" too frequently can make your writing sound repetitive or overly formal in casual settings. Opt for simpler alternatives like "has always been" or more concise wording when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "always has been" functions as an emphatic expression used to assert the persistent truth or state of something over time. Ludwig shows this usage across numerous contexts, reinforcing its role in highlighting continuity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "always has been" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize that something has consistently been true from the past until the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys continuity and endurance, predominantly appearing in news, media, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the context and avoid overuse, especially in casual settings, to maintain a natural writing style. Exploring alternatives like "has consistently been" or "has historically been" can further refine your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has, without exception, been

Adds emphasis to the consistent nature of something, clarifying that there are no exceptions.

has consistently been

Replaces "always" with "consistently", emphasizing the continuous nature of the state.

has invariably been

Substitutes "always" with "invariably", suggesting a lack of exceptions.

has perpetually been

Replaces "always" with "perpetually", highlighting the endless duration of the state.

has eternally been

Substitutes "always" with "eternally", implying a timeless quality.

has historically been

Emphasizes that something has been true throughout history.

has traditionally been

Indicates that something has been a custom or practice for a long time.

has typically been

Replaces "always" with "typically", suggesting that something is usually the case.

has customarily been

Indicates that something has been the accepted practice or way of doing things.

has generally been

Implies that something is true in most cases, but there may be exceptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "always has been" to emphasize that something has consistently been the case from the past until now. For example, "The company "always has been" a leader in innovation".

What phrases are similar to "always has been"?

Similar phrases include "has consistently been", "has invariably been", or "has historically been", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "always has been" or "has always been"?

Both "always has been" and "has always been" are grammatically correct. The choice often depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence. "Always has been" places slightly more emphasis on the enduring nature of the situation.

Can "always has been" be used in all types of writing?

While generally acceptable, "always has been" might sound slightly formal in very casual writing. In those contexts, consider alternatives like "it's always been" or simply rephrasing to maintain a natural tone.