has been hurting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been hurting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a continuous or ongoing state of pain or discomfort that started in the past and is still relevant in the present. Example: "My back has been hurting since I lifted that heavy box last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Personal Experience

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Lately my ball striking has been hurting me the most.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, the recession has been hurting even Madison Avenue.

The New York Times

Body tyranny has been hurting us for decades.

The Guardian - Books

A batch of recent statistics shows that the slowdown has been hurting the typical American household.

The Economist

A sharp rise in the Swiss franc has been hurting exporters.

The Economist

The metric Ultimate Zone Rating demonstrates that Teixeira has been hurting the Yankees defensively.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Santana Moss has been hurt.

The New York Times - Sports

Democracy promotion has been hurt.

The Washington Post

So far, no one has been hurt.

The New York Times

Tourism has been hurt, too.

The New York Times

Clearly, Al Qaeda in Iraq has been hurt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the subject clearly identifies what is experiencing the pain or damage. For example, specify "My shoulder has been hurting" rather than just "It has been hurting."

Common error

Avoid using "has been hurting" when describing a one-time event. This phrase implies a continuous or repeated action. Instead, use a simple past tense like "hurt" for single instances: "I hurt my back yesterday," not "My back has been hurting yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been hurting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently ceased. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this phrase is commonly used to describe continuous pain or negative impact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been hurting" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase indicating an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, it effectively conveys ongoing discomfort, damage, or negative impact. While versatile across registers, writers should ensure the continuous tense accurately reflects the intended meaning and avoid using it for one-time events. Alternatives such as "has been damaging" or "has been detrimental" can be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has caused pain

Focuses on the result of causing pain rather than an ongoing process.

has inflicted damage

Emphasizes the harm or damage caused.

has been detrimental

Highlights the negative impact or consequences.

has been causing distress

Focuses on the emotional or mental suffering caused.

has been a source of pain

Identifies the phrase as the origin of pain or discomfort.

has been causing problems

Generalizes the negative impact to a wider range of issues.

has had a negative impact

Focuses on the impact, specifically a negative one.

has created difficulties

Highlights the creation of challenging circumstances.

has been tough on

Emphasizes the harshness or severity of the impact.

has taken its toll

Suggests that something has suffered as a result of prolonged negative influence.

FAQs

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

Use "has been hurting" to describe something that has continuously caused pain, damage, or difficulty over a period. For example, "The new policy "has been hurting" employee morale."

What are some alternatives to "has been hurting"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has been damaging", "has been detrimental", or "has been causing pain".

Is it correct to say "has hurt" instead of "has been hurting"?

While both are grammatically correct, "has hurt" typically refers to a completed action, whereas ""has been hurting"" implies a continuous or ongoing issue. Consider the nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "has been hurting" versus "is hurting"?

"Has been hurting" implies that the pain or damage started in the past and continues to the present. "Is hurting" suggests the pain or damage is currently happening. Choose the phrase that best reflects the timing of the situation.