has been eager for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been eager for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong desire or enthusiasm for something that has been ongoing or continuous. Example: "She has been eager for the opportunity to showcase her talents in the upcoming competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Mr. Gore, on the other hand, has been eager for direct debates with Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

And she cited outreach to community boards as evidence that her department has been eager for their involvement.

The New York Times

Michigan has the nation's highest unemployment rate and has been eager for a spotlight on its woes.

The New York Times

Mr. Robbins has been eager for hospital stocks for more than a year, talking them up at a New York investor conference a year ago.

The New York Times

The Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, a horse breeder, has Saratoga in the heart of his district and has been eager for a deal.

The New York Times

Japan, which has avoided criticizing the administration over its rejection of the treaty, has been eager for a sign that Mr. Bush is concerned about the issue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

To say that readers have been eager for another novel is to put it very mildly.

The New Yorker

The countries have been eager for the United States to take a direct role in arming them.

The New York Times

Members of Congress and civil liberties groups have been eager for the release of the report.

The New York Times

But they also must have been eager for an excuse to get rid of Sutton.

The New York Times - Magazine

That sentiment is shared by Coach Rex Ryan, but he had been eager for Burress to get into live action.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been eager for" to convey a sustained sense of anticipation or strong desire over a period of time. Ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is eagerly anticipating.

Common error

Avoid using "has been eager for" when referring to a one-time event in the past. Use a simple past tense construction such as "was eager for" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been eager for" functions as a verb phrase expressing a continuing state of anticipation or strong desire. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is often used to highlight a sustained feeling over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been eager for" is a commonly used verb phrase that effectively conveys a continuous state of anticipation or strong desire. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure proper usage, remember to use it when referring to ongoing eagerness and avoid using it for one-time past events. Consider alternatives like "has been anticipating" or "has been looking forward to" to add nuance, but maintain consistency in your tense usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been looking forward to

A more common and general way to express positive expectation.

has been anticipating

Highlights the expectation of something happening in the future.

has been enthusiastic about

Focuses on the positive emotion associated with anticipation.

has been keen on

Indicates enthusiasm or interest in something.

has been anticipating with pleasure

Highlights the enjoyment expected from the anticipated event.

has been longing for

Emphasizes a deep sense of yearning or missing something.

has been awaiting

A more formal way to say waiting for something.

has been itching for

Suggests impatience and a strong urge.

has been craving

Implies a strong desire, often for something specific.

has been desiring

A more formal way to express wanting something.

FAQs

What does "has been eager for" mean?

The phrase "has been eager for" indicates that someone has felt a sustained sense of anticipation, excitement, or strong desire for something over a period of time.

What can I say instead of "has been eager for"?

You can use alternatives like "has been longing for", "has been anticipating", or "has been looking forward to" depending on the context.

How do I use "has been eager for" in a sentence?

Use "has been eager for" when describing someone's sustained enthusiasm or desire for something, for example: "The community has been eager for the construction of the new park to be completed."

What is the difference between "has been eager for" and "was eager for"?

"Has been eager for" indicates a state of anticipation that has persisted over time, while "was eager for" refers to a specific instance of eagerness in the past.