has been complaining

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been complaining" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has been voicing their dissatisfaction or displeasure about something over a period of time. For example: My neighbor has been complaining about the noise from my dog for weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

"Everybody has been complaining about their backs," Joseph said.

The New York Times

Harriman has been complaining that Rockefeller won't debate national issues.

The New Yorker

Management at the Fairfield has been complaining about late-night drumming at the arts building.

The New York Times

Printemps Francais, a far-right group that opposes gay marriage, has been complaining on Twitter.

Independent

In turn, Maurice has been complaining about Lennie's fall from form.

Independent

Chelsea didn't need any refereeing decisions, about which Mourinho has been complaining, to go their way.

Independent

This was among the demands of the domestic industry, which has been complaining about rising imports.

The New York Times

One resident, Mr Li, says his community has been complaining since 2003.

The Guardian

He has been complaining about poor treatment since the day of his attack.

The New Yorker

She has been complaining bitterly and sometimes publicly since, including saying in print that Mr. Penske had lied to her.

The New York Times

"It will further reinforce the problems the northern part of the country has been complaining about," Mr. Shettima said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of the situation. "Has been complaining" can sometimes sound negative. If a more neutral or positive tone is desired, consider using alternatives like "has voiced concerns" or "has provided feedback".

Common error

Avoid using "has been complaining" when referring to a single, isolated incident. This phrase indicates an ongoing action, so ensure the context reflects a continuous or repeated behavior. For example, use "complained" instead if it was just a single event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been complaining" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action (complaining) that started in the past and is ongoing. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound and widely employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been complaining" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates ongoing dissatisfaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and understood. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying that someone is actively voicing their unhappiness over time. While it generally maintains a neutral register, remember to use it in contexts that clearly reflect a continuous or repeated behavior, and consider alternatives like ""has voiced concerns"" or ""has expressed dissatisfaction"" for more formal or neutral tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has expressed dissatisfaction

Highlights a lack of contentment; a formal alternative.

has voiced concerns

Focuses on expressing worries or anxieties, more formal.

has raised objections

Emphasizes formal opposition or disapproval.

has protested

Implies a stronger, more public expression of disagreement.

has grumbled

Suggests a low, indistinct complaint, more informal.

has disapproved

Expresses a negative judgment or disagreement.

has griped

An informal term for complaining persistently.

has lamented

Conveys sorrowful complaining or mourning.

has kicked up a fuss

Indicates creating a disturbance or expressing strong disagreement.

has whined

Suggests a high-pitched, irritating complaint, very informal.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been complaining" to describe someone who has been voicing their dissatisfaction over a period of time. For example: "The customer "has been complaining" about the slow service for weeks."

What are some alternatives to "has been complaining"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "has voiced concerns", "has expressed dissatisfaction", or "has raised objections". These alternatives may offer a more formal or neutral tone.

Is it correct to say "has been complained" instead of "has been complaining"?

No, "has been complained" is not grammatically correct. The correct phrasing is ""has been complaining"", which uses the present perfect continuous tense to indicate an ongoing action.

What's the difference between "complained" and "has been complaining"?

"Complained" refers to a completed action in the past, while ""has been complaining"" suggests an action that started in the past and continues into the present. For instance, "He complained about the food yesterday" versus "He "has been complaining" about the food all week".