been lovely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been lovely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something has been pleasant or enjoyable, often in a past context. Example: "The weather has been lovely this week, perfect for a picnic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's been lovely to watch and lovely to be a part of it and I loved it.' Which is... lovely.

The Guardian - Music

"It's been lovely.

The Guardian - Sport

Today has been lovely".

The New Yorker

"Wouldn't that have been lovely?

The Guardian - Books

He's been lovely to us".

The Guardian

My father's handwriting has always been lovely.

The New York Times

But Vivien had been lovely to them, in her way.

The New Yorker

The atmosphere's been lovely, there's been such a community feel.

The Guardian

It had all been lovely, and a bit tedious.

The New York Times - Arts

Enid Faber tells her the evening has been "lovely".

The Guardian - Books

But so far they've all been lovely too.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "been lovely" to describe past experiences or interactions that were enjoyable or satisfying. It's particularly effective in informal or conversational contexts.

Common error

While "been lovely" is widely acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "delightful" or "gratifying" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been lovely" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying an implied or stated subject to express that something has been pleasing or enjoyable. This is supported by Ludwig and its examples, where the phrase often follows forms of "to be" (e.g., "It's been lovely").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been lovely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase to express that something has been enjoyable or pleasing. According to Ludwig, it is widely used and deemed correct. It's particularly prevalent in News & Media sources and acceptable in various contexts, though less common in formal academic writing. When used, it serves to convey positive feelings about past experiences. While there are many alternatives like "has been delightful" or "has been wonderful", it’s important to maintain consistency with the context, avoiding overuse in formal settings for the best tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been a pleasure

Expresses a more emphatic and direct appreciation.

has been a delight

Similar to "has been a pleasure" but slightly more expressive.

has been delightful

Replaces "lovely" with a more formal and refined adjective.

has been wonderful

Substitutes "lovely" with a broader term for something positive and pleasing.

has been pleasant

Offers a milder and more understated alternative to "lovely".

has been enjoyable

Focuses on the pleasurable aspect of the experience.

has been agreeable

Suggests a sense of harmony and satisfaction.

has been satisfying

Emphasizes the fulfillment derived from the experience.

has been charming

Highlights the attractive and pleasing qualities of something.

has been gratifying

Indicates a sense of deep satisfaction and appreciation.

FAQs

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

"Been lovely" is typically used to describe a past experience that was pleasing or enjoyable. For example, "It's been lovely working with you on this project."

What can I say instead of "been lovely"?

You can use alternatives like "has been delightful", "has been wonderful", or "has been a pleasure" depending on the context.

Is "been lovely" suitable for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "been lovely" may be considered too informal for certain formal contexts. Consider using more refined alternatives such as "has been delightful" or "has been gratifying".

What's the difference between "been lovely" and "was lovely"?

"Been lovely" indicates a period of time leading up to the present, while "was lovely" refers to a specific point in the past. For example, "It's been lovely knowing you" implies an ongoing positive experience, while "The party was lovely" refers to a single event.