been asking

USAGE SUMMARY

'been asking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as part of the verb phrase 'have been asking' which is used to indicate that something has happened over a period of time. For example, "I have been asking for help but no one has answered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some have been asking.

The New York Times

But Grandma's been asking.

The New York Times

"I've been asking why?

The New York Times

They had been asking the wrong question.

The New Yorker

I have been asking around.

The Guardian

"He's been asking for it.

The New York Times

She'd been asking for that.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We've been asking, is it a war?

The New Yorker

They've been asking me for a while.

The New York Times

she had been asking herself lately.

The Washington Post

They've been asking," Matson told CNN.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been asking" to describe a repeated or ongoing action of asking, emphasizing the duration and persistence of the inquiry.

Common error

Avoid using "been asking" when a simple past tense ("asked") is more appropriate, especially when referring to a single, completed action in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been asking" functions primarily as part of a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action of asking that started in the past and continues into the present. As Ludwig AI indicates, it works with "have" or "has".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "been asking" is a versatile component of the English language, frequently used to express ongoing inquiries or requests. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and primarily functions as part of the present perfect continuous tense. Its communicative purpose is to convey persistence and a need for resolution, commonly found in news, academic, and business contexts. While its register is generally neutral, context dictates the overall formality. When writing, remember that "been asking" emphasizes a continuous action, so ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. It's a great phrase to use when you want to stress that an action has been happening for a certain amount of time.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been inquiring

Uses a more formal verb, "inquiring", to convey a similar meaning of seeking information.

have been querying

Similar to "inquiring", but can also refer to questioning the validity of something.

have been requesting

Focuses on the act of making a formal request, rather than a general inquiry.

have made inquiries

Indicates that the process of asking or inquiring has occurred, with a focus on the action itself.

have been questioning

Emphasizes the act of posing questions, often with an implication of doubt or investigation.

have sought information

Focuses on the outcome of seeking information, rather than the ongoing process.

have been probing

Suggests a more thorough and persistent form of questioning, often to uncover hidden information.

have placed requests

Highlights the action of formally submitting a request, focusing on the formality of the action.

have been soliciting

Highlights the act of seeking something, such as advice or opinions, from others.

have been petitioning

Implies a formal and organized request, often addressed to an authority.

FAQs

How do I properly use "been asking" in a sentence?

Use "been asking" as part of the present perfect continuous tense, typically with "have" or "has" as an auxiliary verb, to indicate an action that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, "I have "been asking" for help all day."

What are some alternatives to "been asking"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been inquiring", "have been requesting", or "have been questioning".

Is it correct to say "I been asking"?

No, it is not grammatically correct to say "I been asking". The correct form is "I have "been asking"", which uses the auxiliary verb "have" to form the present perfect continuous tense.

What's the difference between "been asking" and "asked"?

"Been asking" implies a continuous or repeated action over a period of time, while "asked" refers to a single, completed action in the past. For example, "I have "been asking" for a raise for months" versus "I "asked" for a raise last week".