has been in use

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been in use" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that has been used or available over a long period of time. For example, "The phrase 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease' has been in use for centuries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has been in use since 1985.

The New York Times

It has been in use at Amtrak since 1989.

The New York Times

The procedure has been in use for at least 250 years, although its popularity has varied.

The New York Times - Health

The phrase "human engineering" has been in use for more than a century.

The Guardian

"We have no idea how long THG has been in use.

The New York Times - Sports

As a covered passageway, the arcade has been in use since Roman times.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A common standard language (rikssvenska) has been in use more than 100 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It has been in use since the 1960s.

Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection

The system considered has been in use for 25 years.

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

The house has been in use since 2003.

Applied Energy

The gas as an energy source has been in use since a century ago.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been in use" to indicate sustained or repeated usage; for single instances, consider alternatives like "was used" or "has been applied".

Common error

Avoid using "has been in use" when a simple passive construction suffices. For example, instead of "The tool has been in use by the team", prefer "The tool has been used by the team" if the emphasis is on a specific action rather than ongoing utilization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been in use" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something has been actively used or operational over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

48%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been in use" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase employed to signify sustained or repeated usage of something over time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, as seen from the examples, it effectively conveys the duration and continuity of use. When employing this phrase, specify the period or timeframe to enhance clarity. While alternatives like "has been utilized" or "has been employed" exist, selecting "has been in use" offers a balanced approach appropriate for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been utilized

Replaces "in use" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing active application.

has been employed

Similar to 'utilized', but can also suggest a method or strategy.

has been operational

Focuses on the functionality and active working state.

has been functional

Highlights the capacity to perform its intended purpose.

has been available

Indicates presence and accessibility for use, rather than actual use.

has seen service

Suggests prolonged usage, especially in military or professional contexts.

has been active

Emphasizes continuous or repeated use over time.

is currently in operation

Highlights that something is being used in the present moment.

remains in effect

Emphasizes continued legal or procedural validity.

has a history of use

Shifts focus to past instances of use, rather than continuous use.

FAQs

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

Use "has been in use" to describe something that has been utilized or available for a certain period. For example, "This software "has been in use" for five years."

What are some alternatives to "has been in use"?

Alternatives include "has been utilized", "has been employed", or "has been operational", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been in use since" or "has been in use for"?

"Has been in use since" is used with a specific starting point in time (e.g., "since 2000"), while "has been in use for" is used with a duration (e.g., "for 20 years").

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

"Has been in use" implies continued or repeated use up to the present, whereas "was in use" suggests that the item was used in the past but may not be currently used.