has been describing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been describing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an ongoing action or a state that started in the past and continues to the present, often in the context of providing details or explanations about something. Example: "The researcher has been describing the effects of climate change on local ecosystems for several years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Emily Blunt has been describing the "mummy cult" that she believes leads to cruelty between women.

The Guardian - Film

Anwar Murad, a Kurdish resident, has been describing conditions there in a Skype conversation with our colleague Mona Mahmood.

The Guardian

But what about Osborne, whom Labour has been describing to lobby journalists as the Tories' "achilles heel"?

The Guardian

Mr. Obama has been describing what he calls "a racial stalemate we've been stuck in for years".

The New York Times

This is the tradition that Robert Kagan of the Carnegie Endowment has been describing for a decade.

The New York Times

"We don't think the sweeps live up to the consistent and compassionate label the mayor's office has been describing as.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

It has been described as a "miracle".

The New Yorker

Their inclusion has been described as symbolic.

The New York Times - Sports

LaFleur has been described as his clone.

The New Yorker

Butler has been described as a throwback.

The New York Times - Sports

The phenomenon has been described before.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been describing" to emphasize an ongoing process of providing details or explanations, particularly when the action started in the past and continues to the present.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses mid-sentence. Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain consistency with the present perfect continuous tense established by "has been describing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been describing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action of describing that began in the past and is ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

12%

Books

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Film

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been describing" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media, indicating an ongoing action of providing details or explanations. Alternatives such as "has been detailing" or "has been outlining" can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey. Pay attention to tense consistency and context to ensure correct usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been explaining

Replaces 'describing' with 'explaining', focusing on making something clear and understandable.

has been detailing

Replaces 'describing' with 'detailing', emphasizing a more thorough and comprehensive account.

has been outlining

Substitutes 'describing' with 'outlining', suggesting a more structured and summarized account.

has been presenting

Replaces 'describing' with 'presenting', indicating a formal introduction or showcase of information.

has been illustrating

Replaces 'describing' with 'illustrating', highlighting the use of examples or visuals to clarify.

has been depicting

Substitutes 'describing' with 'depicting', emphasizing a visual or artistic representation.

has been portraying

Substitutes 'describing' with 'portraying', emphasizing a particular representation or depiction.

has been characterizing

Substitutes "describing" with "characterizing", focusing on defining the qualities or features of something.

has been recounting

Substitutes 'describing' with 'recounting', highlighting the act of narrating a story or event.

has been chronicling

Replaces 'describing' with 'chronicling', suggesting a detailed and historical record.

FAQs

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

"Has been describing" is used to indicate an action of describing that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "The author "has been describing" the scenery throughout the novel".

What's the difference between "has been describing" and "described"?

"Has been describing" indicates an ongoing or repeated action, while "described" refers to a completed action in the past. For instance, "He "has been describing" his experiences" implies he's still sharing them, whereas "He described his experiences" suggests the description is finished.

What are some alternatives to "has been describing"?

You can use alternatives such as "has been detailing", "has been outlining", or "has been explaining" depending on the specific context.

Is "has been describing" formal or informal?

"Has been describing" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone of the writing.