has been eager

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been eager" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express someone's ongoing enthusiasm or desire for something that has persisted over a period of time. Example: "She has been eager to start her new job since she received the offer last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

In the Libor case, UBS has been eager to cooperate.

The New York Times

China has been eager to prevent a similar controversy.

The New York Times

But Mr. Smith has been eager to retire.

The New York Times

It's a mutation Goodman has been eager to incubate.

The Guardian - Music

Votorantim has been eager to expand its international presence.

The New York Times

Ratner has been eager to bring in new blood.

The New York Times - Sports

The government has been eager to offer investors additional tools for some time.

The New York Times

Yes, the Obama campaign has been eager to point this out.

The New York Times

The company has been eager to show that the site was relatively unscathed by the quake.

The New York Times

"He has been eager to get back to education," Ms. Wylde said.

The New York Times

For years Mr. Houghton has been eager to reunite Mr. Shiner and Mr. Irwin, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been eager" to express a sustained and proactive interest or enthusiasm. This phrasing implies that the eagerness has persisted over a period, reflecting a continuous state of anticipation or readiness.

Common error

Avoid using "has been eager" for actions that occurred only once or in the very recent past. This phrase implies a continuing state, so it's best suited for situations where the eagerness has been present for some time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been eager" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of continuous anticipation or enthusiasm. It combines the auxiliary verb "has been" with the adjective "eager" to describe a subject's prolonged desire or willingness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been eager" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase to describe a continuous state of enthusiasm or anticipation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples from reputable sources. While versatile, it's important to use it when the eagerness has persisted over time, avoiding it for actions that occurred only once. Alternatives like "has been keen" or "has been enthusiastic" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Therefore, "has been eager" remains a reliable choice for expressing sustained interest or readiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been keen

Emphasizes enthusiasm and interest, slightly more formal.

has been enthusiastic

Highlights a strong positive feeling or excitement.

has been impatient

Focuses on the restless desire for something to happen.

has been willing

Indicates a readiness and consent to do something.

has been inclined

Suggests a predisposition or tendency towards something.

has been longing

Highlights a strong desire or yearning for something.

has been craving

Implies a strong need or desire, often for something specific.

has been yearning

Similar to 'longing', but with a stronger emotional undertone.

has been anticipating

Focuses on expecting something with excitement or eagerness.

has been anticipating with pleasure

More descriptive alternative with a positive feeling.

FAQs

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

Use "has been eager" to describe someone's continuous enthusiasm or anticipation for something. For example, "The company "has been eager" to expand its market share."

What are some alternatives to "has been eager"?

You can use alternatives like "has been keen", "has been enthusiastic", or "has been willing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was eager" instead of "has been eager"?

While "was eager" is grammatically correct, it implies that the eagerness was present at a specific point in the past and may no longer be relevant. "Has been eager" suggests the eagerness has persisted.

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

"Is eager" describes a current state of eagerness, whereas ""has been eager"" implies the eagerness started in the past and continues to the present. The latter suggests a longer duration of enthusiasm.