has been hiding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been hiding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often implying a sense of secrecy or concealment. Example: "The cat has been hiding under the bed since the thunderstorm started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The minister has been hiding all week.

The Guardian

It has been hiding in public view for centuries.

The Guardian - Arts

Mr. Rich has been hiding in Switzerland since 1983.

The New York Times

But the real culprit — or at least the main one — has been hiding in plain sight.

The New York Times

At least one of the people implicated has been hiding the truth with a writer's mind.

The New Yorker

"The political system has been hiding the truth for so long," he said.

The New York Times

It has been hiding in plain sight, between the lines of the children's book.

The New York Times - Books

"My team has been hiding it from me for weeks," Ms. Mayer said.

The New York Times

The only mystery is where he has been hiding these last few years.

Independent

It's very exciting: You just don't know where, or what else, has been hiding".

The New York Times

"The place called the San Fernando Valley has been hiding in plain sight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been hiding" to describe a continuous action of concealing or avoiding detection that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "The truth has been hiding behind layers of misinformation."

Common error

Avoid using "has been hiding" when a simple past tense like "hid" or "was hiding" is more appropriate. "Has been hiding" emphasizes duration; use "hid" when the action is completed, or "was hiding" when referring to a specific past period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been hiding" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates an action of concealing or avoiding detection that began in the past and is still ongoing. It is commonly used to describe a continuous state of secrecy or avoidance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been hiding" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense used to describe the ongoing action of concealing or avoiding detection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. Its applications range from describing physical concealment to abstract concepts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Ludwig’s examples demonstrate its frequent appearance in news, arts, and general media, indicating its common usage in conveying ongoing secrecy or avoidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been concealing

Focuses on the act of preventing something from being known.

has been concealing itself

Highlights the subject hiding their own existence.

has been covering up

Emphasizes the attempt to hide a mistake or wrongdoing.

has been keeping secret

Indicates maintaining secrecy over a prolonged period.

has been out of sight

Describes a state of being unseen or unnoticeable.

has been in seclusion

Implies a voluntary withdrawal from society to remain hidden.

has remained undetected

Highlights the success in avoiding detection.

has been lying low

Suggests deliberately avoiding attention to stay safe.

has been evading

Focuses on dodging or escaping someone or something.

has been shirking

Implies avoiding responsibility or duty.

FAQs

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

Use "has been hiding" to describe something or someone that has been continuously concealing themselves or something else over a period of time. For example, "The company has been hiding its financial troubles from investors."

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

You can use alternatives like "has been concealing", "has been covering up", or "has been keeping secret" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "has been hiding" and "was hiding"?

"Has been hiding" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has present relevance, while "was hiding" refers to a continuous action in the past that is now finished. Example: "He has been hiding his skills" (he is still hiding them) vs "He was hiding his skills" (he is not hiding them anymore).

When is it appropriate to use "has been hiding in plain sight"?

Use "has been hiding in plain sight" when something has been present and available to be noticed, but has gone unnoticed for a long period, often due to its simplicity or familiarity. For example, "The solution to the problem has been hiding in plain sight all along".