has been harassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been harassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe ongoing or repeated actions of harassment that started in the past and continue into the present. Example: "The employee has been harassing his colleagues for months, creating a toxic work environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The SBU has been harassing the protesters; repression may increase.

The Economist

Unfortunately, instead of engaging the B.D.P., the Turkish government has been harassing many of its members.

The New York Times

It is not easy being a Bears quarterback this season, even when Shaun Ellis -- who has been harassing quarterbacks all season -- is not in pursuit.

The New York Times - Sports

The United Nations complained yesterday that the ruling Taliban movement has been harassing and abusing people trying to provide aid to the poor and drought-stricken nation.

The New York Times

For six years British Gas has been harassing me to pay a bill for more than £3,000 even though I have never been a customer.

The Guardian - Money

CL, London British Gas admits it has been harassing you erroneously, although its records suggest the bills only started arriving 18 months ago.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He has been harassed and detained repeatedly since then.

The New York Times

Shayler's brother has been harassed by the police.

The Guardian

Since then, he has been harassed and repeatedly detained but has refused to be silenced.

The New York Times

None of the smallholders in front of Trump Plaza has been harassed by gangsters.

The Economist

No political critic of the Administration has been harassed or blackmailed as a consequence of them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been harassing", be specific about the nature of the harassment. Providing details strengthens your statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Don't just say someone "has been harassing" another without providing context or evidence. Vague accusations can lead to misunderstandings or legal issues. Instead, offer concrete examples or descriptions of the harassing behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been harassing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig shows numerous examples in this form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been harassing" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an ongoing or repeated action of harassment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples in news, media, and general contexts. While semantically related phrases such as "has been bullying" or "has been tormenting" offer nuanced alternatives, the core meaning remains consistent. When using "has been harassing", provide specific details to strengthen your statement and avoid vague accusations. The phrase appears frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its role in reporting and discussing sensitive situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been bullying

Focuses more specifically on aggressive and intimidating behavior.

has been tormenting

Emphasizes the infliction of mental or emotional suffering.

has been persecuting

Implies a systematic and unjust mistreatment.

has been hounding

Suggests persistent and relentless pursuit or harassment.

has been victimizing

Highlights the act of making someone a victim.

has been abusing

Indicates a more general form of mistreatment, which can be physical, emotional, or verbal.

has been intimidating

Focuses on the use of fear to control or influence someone.

has been pestering

Describes persistent annoyance or unwanted attention.

has been badgering

Implies persistent questioning or urging.

has been troubling

Suggests causing worry or distress through repeated actions.

FAQs

What does "has been harassing" mean?

The phrase "has been harassing" indicates an ongoing or repeated action of unwanted, offensive, and annoying behavior towards someone. It implies that the harassment started in the past and continues to the present.

What are some alternative phrases for "has been harassing"?

You can use alternatives like "has been bullying", "has been tormenting", or "has been pestering" depending on the specific type and severity of the harassment.

How do I use "has been harassing" in a sentence?

Use "has been harassing" to describe someone who is repeatedly engaging in unwanted and offensive behavior towards another person. For example: "The employee "has been harassing" his colleagues for months."

What is the difference between "has been harassing" and "harassed"?

"Has been harassing" implies a continuous or repeated action, while "harassed" simply indicates that the harassment occurred at some point in the past. For instance, "He "has been harassing" her all week" suggests ongoing behavior, whereas "She was harassed yesterday" refers to a specific past incident.