has been avoiding

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been avoiding' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a continuous action that has been happening for some period of time in the past. For example: "He has been avoiding me since the argument we had last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

It's an issue that Obama has been avoiding as well.

The New Yorker

Our no-show next-door neighbor has been avoiding us.

The New York Times

For most of our evolutionary past, the problem has been avoiding starvation.

The New York Times

The truth is, the world has been avoiding this thorny problem for six years.

The New York Times

At home everyone has been avoiding me - fortunately for the kids they have been at school.

The Guardian - Sport

The former governor has been avoiding publicity while awaiting Mr. Garcia's decision.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Armageddon has been avoided.

The New Yorker

A new Great Depression has been avoided.

The New York Times

But the important thing is, disaster has been avoided.

The Guardian - Sport

That worst-case scenario has been avoided.

Forbes

That has been avoided," he argues.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been avoiding" to describe an ongoing action in the past where someone or something is actively trying to prevent encountering a person, place, or thing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been avoiding" to describe a single instance of avoidance that occurred and finished in the past. Instead, use the simple past tense: "He avoided the question."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been avoiding" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action (avoiding) that started in the past and continues up to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been avoiding" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe a continuous action of evasion from the past to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent use across diverse sources like news media, scientific articles, and wikis, indicates its widespread acceptance. While alternatives such as "has been evading" or "has been steering clear of" offer subtle differences in meaning, understanding the core function of "has been avoiding" ensures clear and effective communication. Avoiding misuse, such as using it for single, completed actions, enhances writing accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been evading

Focuses on skillful escape or dodging, often implying a deliberate attempt to not be caught or confronted.

has been steering clear of

Suggests a conscious decision to maintain distance, often due to potential danger or discomfort.

has been keeping away from

Emphasizes physical distance and separation, sometimes implying fear or dislike.

has been shying away from

Implies reluctance or timidity in approaching something, often due to uncertainty or self-doubt.

has been sidestepping

Suggests subtly avoiding an issue or responsibility, often to maintain a neutral position or avoid conflict.

has been dodging

Focuses on quick and reactive movements to evade something, suggesting a sense of urgency or threat.

has been bypassing

Highlights the act of going around or circumventing something, often to save time or effort.

has been circumventing

Implies finding a way around obstacles or rules, suggesting creativity or ingenuity.

has been preventing

Focuses on stopping something from happening, emphasizing proactive intervention.

has been warding off

Suggests actively defending against something, often implying a threat or danger.

FAQs

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

Use "has been avoiding" to indicate a continuous action of evasion in the past, such as "She "has been avoiding" his calls since their argument".

What are some alternatives to "has been avoiding"?

Alternatives include "has been evading", "has been steering clear of", or "has been keeping away from", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been avoid" instead of "has been avoiding"?

No, "has been avoid" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""has been avoiding"", as it uses the present participle form of the verb 'avoid'.

What is the difference between "has avoided" and "has been avoiding"?

"Has avoided" indicates a completed action in the past with current relevance, while ""has been avoiding"" suggests an ongoing action over a period of time up to the present.