has been being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been being' is grammatically correct, and can be used in written English. Generally, it is used when describing something that has been continuing for some time in the past and is still happening. For example: My car has been being serviced for the past three weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Obama has been being president.

The New Yorker

The first step has been being open about my fears.

The Guardian - Opinion

QUESTION FROM PAM: Mitt has been being well rehearsed in debate camp.

The New Yorker

The whole of my lifetime the second world war has been being ended in Europe".

The Guardian

Iwan has been being a bit cocky about his meal I think.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One reason it has taken so long is that the Rijksmuseum has been being redeveloped for 10 years.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

This has been been corrected.

The Guardian - Film

"All there has been is totalitarian persecution".

The Guardian

Volkswagen has been, is and will always be my life.

The Guardian - Business

It has been, is and will be a reliable supplier.

BBC

One French national has been been confirmed dead.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been being" to emphasize the continuous nature of an action over a period, but consider simpler alternatives if clarity is paramount.

Common error

Avoid overusing "has been being" in writing, as it can often make sentences sound convoluted. Opt for simpler constructions like "has been" when the continuous aspect is already clear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been being" functions as a present perfect continuous passive construction. It describes an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and is being done to the subject. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been being" is a grammatically sound construction used to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. While correct, it can sometimes sound awkward and should be used judiciously. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts. Simpler alternatives should be considered for clarity and conciseness, especially if the continuous aspect is already implied. It's important to recognize that overuse might lead to convoluted writing, hence consider using "has been in the process of" or "has been continually" for better expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has continually been

This emphasizes an uninterrupted continuation of an action or state.

has constantly been

This focuses on the unwavering and persistent nature of something.

has been in the process of

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing nature of a process or action.

has actively been

This highlights the active and engaged nature of an ongoing process.

has been consistently

This highlights the continuous and regular nature of an action.

has effectively been

This suggests that something has been working or functioning as intended.

has undergone

This suggests a completed process of transformation or experience.

has remained

This emphasizes the unchanging state of something over time.

has typically been

This implies something usual or standard.

has historically been

This emphasizes that something is rooted in the past.

FAQs

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

Use "has been being" to emphasize a continuous action over time, like "The project "has been being developed" for several months".

What are some alternatives to using "has been being"?

Consider alternatives like "has been in the process of", or "has been continually" for a more concise expression.

Is it ever incorrect to use "has been being"?

While grammatically correct, "has been being" can sometimes sound awkward. If the continuous aspect is already implied, simpler forms like "has been" might be preferable.

What's the difference between "has been" and "has been being"?

"Has been" indicates a state or action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Has been being" emphasizes the continuous nature of that action over a period of time.