has been looking

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'has been looking' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used in the present perfect continuous tense, which is used for actions that have recently stopped, or continue into the present moment. For example: "She has been looking for a new job for the last three months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

RWE has been looking elsewhere for supplies.

The New York Times

AMERICA'S economy has been looking frail.

The Economist

So Mr Miktani has been looking abroad.

The Economist

> has been looking for it ever since.

Stanford University

If Galván has been looking at early modernism, Pagés has been looking at Broadway.

The New Yorker

The group has been looking to expand.

The Washington Post

"Ma has been looking," Piu said.

The New Yorker

He has been looking at court decisions.

The New York Times

Who has been looking after it?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He has been looking back, too.

The New York Times

Congress has been looking at Internet governance, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been looking", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is seeking, whether it's a tangible object, a solution, or information.

Common error

Avoid using "has been looking" when a simple past tense like "looked" is more appropriate. Use "has been looking" for ongoing actions or actions that have recently concluded but are still relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been looking" functions as the present perfect continuous tense of the verb "look". It indicates an action that began in the past and is still ongoing or has recently ceased. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been looking" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing or recently completed actions of searching or investigating. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, and its common usage is reflected in various reliable sources, especially News & Media. While generally neutral in register, its precise meaning can vary based on context. When using this phrase, ensure that the action and its duration are clear to avoid ambiguity. Remember it is important to clearly denote what is being looked for. Considering alternative phrasings such as "has sought" or "has been searching for" can add nuance and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been searching for

Emphasizes the act of searching, often for a specific item or solution.

has sought

More concise and formal, suggesting a focused effort to find or obtain something.

has been examining

Similar to investigating but may refer to a closer, more detailed inspection.

has investigated

Implies a more formal and detailed examination or inquiry.

has explored

Suggests a broader, less focused inquiry, often involving discovery.

has scouted for

Suggests a search for something specific, often related to talent or resources.

has considered

Highlights the act of thinking about or contemplating something as a possibility.

has kept an eye on

An informal way to say that someone is watching something closely.

has monitored

Focuses on observing something over time, often for changes or patterns.

has scoped out

An informal way to say that someone is investigating or checking an area.

FAQs

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

Use "has been looking" to describe an action of searching or investigating that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently finished. For example, "The company "has been looking" for a new CEO since January".

What are some alternatives to "has been looking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "has sought", "has been searching for", or "has investigated".

Which is correct, "has been looking" or "had been looking"?

"Has been looking" is present perfect continuous, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Had been looking" is past perfect continuous, indicating an action that started and ended in the past, before another past action. Choose the tense that fits the timeline of events.

What's the difference between "has been looking" and "is looking"?

"Is looking" is present continuous, describing an action happening now. "Has been looking" describes an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has recently ended. For example, "She "is looking" for her keys right now" versus "She "has been looking" for her keys all morning".