has been curious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been curious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of curiosity that started in the past and continues to the present. Example: "She has been curious about the universe since she was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

His subsequent career has been curious.

The New York Times - Arts

This top-down hysteria has been curious and unsettling.

The Guardian

The west, often for reasons of economic expansion, has been curious about other civilisations.

The Guardian

The response of universities, students and in some cases parents to this growing problem has been curious.

The Guardian

If one of the themes of United's season has been curious managerial decisions, another has been bad luck with injuries.

The Guardian - Sport

Ever since childhood, when he saw his father descend into alcoholism, evolutionary physiologist Robert Dudley has been curious about humans' strong attraction to booze.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The requests so far have been curious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Rodriguez said residents have been curious.

The New York Times

"I had been curious [about acting] before," he says.

Independent

Both our kids have been curious and looked at pornography.

The Guardian - Tech

"I've been curious myself as to why it does," he said recently.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been curious" when you want to describe a sustained state of wonder or interest that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "She has been curious about astronomy since she was a child."

Common error

Avoid using "has been curious" to describe a fleeting or temporary interest. If the curiosity was short-lived, consider using "was curious" instead. For example, instead of "He has been curious about the project for a day", use "He was curious about the project for a day".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been curious" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a continuous state of being interested or inquisitive. Ludwig examples show it describing people, organizations, or situations maintaining curiosity over time, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been curious" is a versatile and commonly used expression to depict a sustained state of inquiry or interest that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "has shown interest" or ""has been inquisitive"" exist, "has been curious" effectively conveys prolonged wonder or exploration. When using this phrase, remember to apply it for interests of a durable nature and avoid fleeting curiosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has shown interest

Focuses on the demonstration of interest rather than the internal state of curiosity.

has been inquisitive

Highlights an active approach to seeking information, suggesting a proactive nature.

has developed an interest

Emphasizes the process of growing interest over time.

has wanted to know

Directly expresses a desire for knowledge.

has investigated

Implies a more formal or structured approach to finding information.

has explored

Suggests a wide-ranging examination of a topic.

has delved into

Indicates a deep and thorough exploration.

has sought to understand

Highlights the active pursuit of comprehension.

has looked into

Suggests a preliminary or initial examination.

has taken an interest

Implies a deliberate decision to be interested.

FAQs

What does "has been curious" mean?

"Has been curious" indicates a state of curiosity that started in the past and continues into the present. It suggests a sustained interest or wonder about something.

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

You can use "has been curious" to describe a person's ongoing interest or a continuous state of inquiry. For example, "The scientist "has been inquisitive" about the origins of the universe for many years".

What can I say instead of "has been curious"?

You can use alternatives like "has shown interest", ""has been inquisitive"", or "has developed an interest" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had been curious" instead of "has been curious"?

Yes, but the meaning changes. "Had been curious" refers to a state of curiosity that existed in the past before another past event. "Has been curious" refers to curiosity that started in the past and continues to the present.