has been lingering

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been lingering' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in the present perfect continuous form, which describes an action that began at some point in the past and is still continuing into the present. For example, "The smell of cooking has been lingering in the air since early this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

There was no question; this has been lingering since that night.

The New York Times

It has also prompted a question that has been lingering for a month.

The New York Times - Sports

HOLIDAY parties are over, but brilliantly bejeweled and glittering eye makeup has been lingering on, an easy way to alleviate the January blahs.

The New York Times

"This crisis has been lingering for so many years now, and the government has not produced any fruitful solutions to address it.

The New Yorker

She writes: For a long time, a partly used package of rice flour spring roll wrappers has been lingering in my pantry.

The New York Times

Plus, there has been lingering suspicion that some of the organization's donors were motivated by a desire to gain access to the Clintons.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"The hour record had been lingering.

The Guardian - Sport

They can give fresh life to old jackets that have been lingering in dry-cleaner bags.

The New York Times

Before its deployment on Long Island, the copy had been lingering in Mr. Scheerer's office.

The New York Times

Proposals for a GST, a form of sales tax, have been lingering for years.

The Economist

"It had been lingering for years," Jeff Neal, a spokesman for Governor Carcieri, said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been lingering" to describe situations or conditions that have persisted for a noticeable period, especially when implying a sense of unresolvedness or a gradual fading away. For example, "The uncertainty has been lingering since the announcement."

Common error

Avoid using "has been lingering" when referring to a completed, one-time event. The present perfect continuous tense implies ongoing action, so it's inappropriate to say, "The storm has been lingering," if the storm has already passed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been lingering" functions as a verb phrase, specifically in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI examples show it depicting persisting questions, smells, and uncertainties.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been lingering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. According to Ludwig AI, it effectively communicates that something began in the past and continues into the present, often implying a sense of persistence or unresolvedness. Usage is prevalent across various sources, particularly in News & Media, Science and Formal and Business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use it accurately, avoiding one-time completed actions and incorrect tense usage. Alternative phrases like ""has been persisting"" or ""has been continuing"" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance of the message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been persisting

Focuses on the continuous existence of something, often despite challenges or resistance.

has been continuing

Emphasizes the uninterrupted progression of an event or situation.

has been remaining

Highlights the act of staying in a particular state or place over a period of time.

has been dragging on

Implies a tedious or unwanted continuation of something.

has been carrying on

Suggests that something is being done or conducted, often in secret or without proper authorization.

has been hanging around

Indicates something is present or nearby for an extended period, often without a clear purpose.

has been staying

Simply indicates something remained in the same state or place for a period of time.

has been holding on

Suggests clinging to something or maintaining a position with effort.

has been going on

Simply states that something has been happening.

has been drawing out

Highlights the lengthening or prolonging of something, often unnecessarily.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been lingering" to describe something that has persisted or remained present for a period of time. For example, "The question of his replacement "has been lingering" since his resignation."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "has been lingering"?

Some alternatives include "has been persisting", "has been continuing", or "has been dragging on", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "has been lingering" to describe a feeling?

Yes, you can use "has been lingering" to describe a feeling or emotion that has persisted. For example, "A sense of unease "has been lingering" since the incident."

What is the difference between "has been lingering" and "has lingered"?

"Has been lingering" (present perfect continuous) emphasizes the ongoing nature of the lingering, while "has lingered" (present perfect simple) focuses on the fact that it lingered at some point in the past and may or may not still be present. For example, "The smell "has lingered" in the room" suggests the smell may no longer be present, whereas "The smell "has been lingering" in the room" suggests it's still there.