has been agonizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been agonizing' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where someone has been feeling intense pain or distress, usually for a long period of time. For example: The family has been agonizing over the recent loss of their loved one for weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

For Deutch, his experience has been agonizing.

The New York Times - Magazine

The long ordeal has been agonizing, Mr. Garza said.

The New York Times

THE CHALLENGE Joan Denizot, the founder, has been agonizing over whether to manufacture bicycles in the United States or to import them from Asia at much lower costs.

The New York Times

Levine has been agonizing over this, but if he had to make a decision right now, he is pretty certain he'd go.

The New York Times - Magazine

As a friend of both Turkey and Israel, it has been agonizing to watch the disastrous clash between Israeli naval commandos and a flotilla of "humanitarian" activists seeking to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

The New York Times

Nixon, who has been drinking, places an imaginary but not unimaginable phone call to Frost, who has been agonizing over his abject failure to direct the conversation in the first three interviews.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Between the death stares, Jedi-like hood wearing, and those large red circles all over his body, the most-decorated Olympian's every move has been agonized over.

Vice

"I've been agonizing about this.

The New York Times

These past months, she says, have been agonizing.

The New York Times

For Russians used to seeing their athletes dominate international competitions, the last two weeks have been agonizing.

The New York Times

Mr. Harkin had been agonizing over what to do about an endorsement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been agonizing" to describe prolonged mental or emotional distress. Be specific about the cause of the agony to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While "has been agonizing" is acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider stronger synonyms like "has been suffering" or "has endured hardship" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been agonizing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action (agonizing) that began in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing the duration and ongoing nature of the distress. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been agonizing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase indicating a prolonged state of distress, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is suitable for neutral contexts like news and general discussions. While alternatives like "has been suffering" may be preferred in more formal settings, "has been agonizing" effectively conveys ongoing mental or emotional suffering. With its frequent use in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, this phrase is a reliable choice for expressing sustained distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been suffering

Focuses on the experience of pain or distress over a period.

has been in distress

Formally indicates a state of extreme sorrow or pain.

has been struggling

Emphasizes difficulty and effort in dealing with a situation.

has been wrestling with

Implies a difficult internal debate or struggle.

has been grappling with

Similar to wrestling with, emphasizing a physical or mental struggle.

has been worrying

Highlights the mental aspect of being troubled or anxious.

has been burdened by

Highlights the weight and oppressiveness of a problem or situation.

has been tormented

Suggests severe mental or physical suffering.

has endured hardship

Focuses on bearing difficult conditions or suffering.

has been afflicted by

Indicates a negative condition or problem causing suffering.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has been agonizing" describes a prolonged period of intense mental or emotional distress. For example: "The family "has been agonizing" over the decision to sell their home."

What are some alternatives to "has been agonizing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has been suffering", "has been struggling", or "has been worrying".

Is it correct to say "has been agonized" instead of "has been agonizing"?

While "agonized" can be used as an adjective, the phrase "has been agonized" typically requires a preposition like 'over'. "Has been agonizing", on the other hand, is a complete verb phrase indicating a continuous state of distress. The sentence "His every move "has been agonized over"" is correct but has a different meaning.

What's the difference between "has been agonizing" and "is agonizing"?

"Has been agonizing" indicates a state that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is agonizing" refers to a state that is currently happening. For example, "The wait "has been agonizing"" implies the waiting period is still ongoing and causing distress, whereas "The wait is agonizing" describes the current feeling.