has been contending

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been contending" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing argument or struggle that someone has been engaged in over a period of time. Example: "The scientist has been contending that climate change is primarily caused by human activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

It has been contending with competition from Japan.

The New Yorker

Arizona has been contending with Mexican-American citizenship ever since Arizona was part of Mexico.

The New Yorker

Miliband has been contending with negative personal opinion polls and had to apologise to Liverpudlians for endorsing the Sun newspaper.

The Guardian

Carson pointed out that he is used to travelling a lot, and that he has been contending with big crowds for years.

The New Yorker

The Port Authority, which has been contending with increasing delays at all three of its airports, has long been considering some form of congestion pricing.

The New York Times

In Wichita, Central Plains Steel has been contending with an almost 90percentt increase in the cost of its raw material.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

It has been contended that tornadoes and their regular seasonal imminence have played a part in forming the American character, which, at least in the opinion of many Europeans, is tornadolike in its unpredictability, violence, and rapidity of change.

The New Yorker

But such a view (it has been contended) cannot be seriously entertained, if only because it conflicts with the basic demand for system and order that underlies and governs all rational enquiry, all meaningful thought about the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moreover, it has been contended that natural vegetation can respond only slowly to environmental change, so that the vegetation zones observable today are in part adjusted to past climates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has been contended by researchers that relative, comparative judgements are highly reliable, more so than absolute, analytical judgements (see Jones & Alcock, 2012, 2014; Laming, 2004; Pollitt, 2012b).

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

The exponential distribution has been contended by Chaintreau et al. [9] in a study of actual encounter data from humans carrying mobile devices.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been contending" to describe an ongoing struggle, dispute, or competition with a clear sense of duration and persistence.

Common error

Avoid using "has been contending" to describe a single, isolated incident. This phrase is more appropriate for situations that have unfolded over a period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been contending" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the struggle or dispute. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been contending" is a versatile verb phrase that describes an ongoing struggle or dispute. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is both grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "has been arguing" or "has been battling" exist, "has been contending" emphasizes the continuous and persistent nature of the conflict. When using this phrase, ensure that the context involves an action that began in the past and extends into the present. Steer clear of using it to describe singular, isolated events. Overall, "has been contending" is a valuable tool for conveying sustained effort in the face of challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been arguing

Focuses more on verbal disagreement or debate rather than a broader struggle.

has been battling

Emphasizes a more forceful and direct confrontation or struggle.

has been grappling with

Highlights the difficulty and complexity of the struggle.

has been dealing with

Suggests managing or handling a challenging situation.

has been facing

Focuses on confronting or encountering a challenge.

has been asserting

Emphasizes stating a claim forcefully, often against opposition.

has been maintaining

Highlights consistently holding a particular position or claim.

has been fighting

Implies active and potentially aggressive opposition.

has been opposing

Directly indicates resistance or disagreement.

has been challenging

Highlights questioning or disputing something.

FAQs

What does "has been contending" mean?

The phrase "has been contending" means that someone or something has been involved in a struggle, competition, or dispute over a period. It implies an ongoing effort to overcome challenges or maintain a position.

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

You can use "has been contending" to describe situations where someone is continuously dealing with problems. For example: "The company "has been contending" with increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "has been contending"?

Alternatives include "has been arguing", "has been battling", or "has been grappling with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been contending" formal or informal?

"Has been contending" is generally considered neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in news and professional writing.