has been craving

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been craving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that someone has a strong desire or longing for something over an extended period of time. For example: Joe has been craving ice cream for the past week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Food

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Harry Kane has been craving opponents as accommodating as Bournemouth since the spring.

The Guardian - Sport

"You have to tell a society that has been craving stability that stability will not save you.

The New York Times

Ms. Whelan becomes just the kind of strange, driven creature this morbid artist has been craving all along.

The New York Times - Arts

A similar subset of consumers in the United States has been craving a version of HBO via the Internet.

The New York Times

It's Russia's big moment on the international stage, the moment the country has been craving for so long.

The New York Times

But Mr. Gingrich's resilience has so far allowed Mr. Romney to dodge the head-to-head competition that Rick Santorum has been craving.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"I've been craving chocolate.

The New York Times

I have been craving savoury bakes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've been craving it all week," she said.

The New York Times

I had been craving privacy all my life.

The New York Times

You must have been craving that success initially, though?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been craving" to describe a prolonged and strong desire, ensuring the subject's feelings are consistent with the verb's intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been craving" to describe mild or fleeting desires. It's best suited for expressing a deep-seated and persistent longing, not a passing whim.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been craving" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating a prolonged desire or longing that started in the past and continues into the present. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show a consistent use across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Food

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been craving" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to express a prolonged and strong desire. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Sports, and Food-related articles. While 'craving' can suggest a more informal tone, the present perfect continuous aspect lends a neutral register, suitable for a range of communication. For alternatives, consider phrases like "has been longing for" or "has been yearning for", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been wanting

A simpler and more direct way of expressing a desire.

has been longing for

Emphasizes a sentimental or emotional yearning, slightly more intense than craving.

has been thirsting for

Implies a very strong and urgent need or desire.

has been hungering for

Suggests a strong, almost desperate need or craving.

has been yearning for

Implies a deep and persistent desire, often for something unattainable.

has been itching for

Implies a restless urge or impatience for something to happen.

has been aching for

Expresses a deep, emotional longing, often associated with sadness.

has been desiring

A more formal and general term for wanting something.

has been pining for

Indicates a wistful longing, often for something lost or unattainable.

has been needing

Highlights a requirement or necessity, rather than a desire.

FAQs

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

Use "has been craving" to indicate a strong and persistent desire. For example, "She "has been craving" a vacation for months."

What are some alternatives to "has been craving"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been longing for", "has been yearning for", or "has been desiring" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been craving" formal or informal?

"Has been craving" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards informal due to the intensity of the word 'craving'.

What's the difference between "has been craving" and "has been wanting"?

"Has been craving" implies a stronger and more intense desire than "has been wanting". Craving suggests a deep longing, while wanting is a more general and less intense desire.