has been dying

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been dying' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate change over time, for example: The once-popular amusement park has been dying ever since new attractions opened in the neighboring town.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Ethan Hawke has been dying a lot in recent months.

The New York Times

The warning signs are generally a cherished "personal" story that the creator has been dying to tell, but nobody has been dying to hear.

The Guardian - Film

The era of American politics that has been dying before our eyes was born in 1966.

The New Yorker

When you reread the past, "Saturday Night Live" has been dying since the year it began.

The New Yorker

The town has been dying since the day, decades ago, when commercial net fishing was outlawed.

The Guardian

Here's why: The 3D phenomenon has been dying to crown a king.

The Guardian - Film

JFK has been dying again and again ever since, particularly in the movies.

The Guardian - Film

The clamor for tickets has been dying down for a while.

The New York Times - Sports

"Because we have a completely different outlook," he says – has been dying to say.

The Guardian - Money

Manufacturing in the city has been dying a long, slow death as a source of jobs and prosperity.

The New York Times

A significant generational shift has taken place as the World War II generation has been dying off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been dying" to describe a process that has been ongoing for some time and is expected to continue. It often implies a slow, gradual decline rather than a sudden end.

Common error

Avoid using "has been dying" when you mean to describe a completed action. Use "has died" if the process is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been dying" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an ongoing process of decline that started in the past and is still happening. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been dying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a process of ongoing decline. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is versatile, appearing most often in news and media to illustrate the gradual deterioration of various entities, from towns to abstract concepts. Alternatives like "is in decline" or "is fading away" can offer slightly different shades of meaning. Remember to use this phrase when emphasizing the continuous nature of the decline, and avoid it when referring to a completed action. Be mindful of potential mistakes in using the continuous aspect, but as a whole, "has been dying" is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is nearing its end

Directly states that something is close to its conclusion.

is fading away

Emphasizes a gradual disappearance or weakening.

is declining rapidly

Highlights a fast and precipitous drop or decrease.

is in decline

Focuses on the state of diminishing or deteriorating rather than the process of fading away.

is losing ground

Implies a loss of position, influence, or support over time.

is deteriorating

Highlights the process of becoming progressively worse.

is on the wane

Indicates a gradual decrease in power, influence, or intensity.

is on its last legs

Suggests something is nearing its end, often due to age or wear.

is in its twilight years

Suggests the final period of something's existence, often with a sense of nostalgia.

is breathing its last

A more dramatic and figurative way to describe something ending.

FAQs

How to use "has been dying" in a sentence?

Use "has been dying" to describe a situation or entity that is in a prolonged state of decline, such as "The small town "has been dying" since the factory closed".

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

You can use alternatives like "is in decline", "is fading away", or "is deteriorating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been dying" or "has died"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. "Has been dying" implies a process over time, while "has died" indicates a completed action.

What's the difference between "has been dying" and "is dying"?

"Has been dying" indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present, whereas "is dying" refers to a process happening currently. For example, "The tradition "is dying" out".