has been lying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been lying' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has been in a particular position or state for a certain amount of time. For example, "The book has been lying on the table for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The turban has never really vanished, but it has been lying low.

The New York Times

* During the phone-hacking crisis, one major player has been lying extremely low.

Independent

— Marc Ragovin, New York It turns out the Grand Canyon has been lying about its age.

The New York Times

This highlights once again how Russia has been lying and manipulating".

The Guardian

For too long, this narrative has been lying almost dormant amid the focus on the deficit.

The Guardian - Opinion

This summer, however, he has been lying a little bit low.

The Guardian - Sport

Gaddafi has been lying low over the past fortnight, convinced that Nato is personally targeting him.

The Guardian

The rug has been lying in her son's room, but her son doesn't live at home anymore.

The New Yorker

Although he has not faced any legal charges in connection with that killing, he has been lying low ever since.

Independent

The simple idea that could exonerate Cosby is that Constand has been lying this whole time specifically, the argument goes, she has been lying about whether her relationship with Cosby was romantic.

The New Yorker

"This data has been lying dormant – or at least out of public sight– for long periods of time," Hunt says.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been lying", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration or ongoing nature of the deception. For instance, specify how long someone "has been lying" or the extent of their deceit.

Common error

Avoid the common mistake of using "laying" instead of "lying". "Lying" refers to not telling the truth, while "laying" means to place something down. Using the wrong word can drastically change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been lying" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action of deceiving or not telling the truth that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been lying" is a versatile verb phrase used in the present perfect continuous tense to describe an ongoing act of deception that began in the past and extends into the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly convey the duration or continuous nature of the deceit. Be mindful of the difference between "lying" and "laying" to avoid common errors, and consider alternatives such as "has lied" or "has been deceiving" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has lied

A shorter, completed action of lying, rather than a continuous state.

has not been telling the truth

A straightforward and simple alternative to saying someone has been lying.

has been untruthful

A more formal and less direct way of saying someone has been lying.

has been deceiving

Focuses on the act of misleading someone, similar to lying.

has been prevaricating

A more sophisticated term for avoiding the truth or lying.

has been fabricating

Implies the creation of false information, a specific type of lying.

has been misrepresenting

Focuses on giving a false account of something.

has been distorting the truth

Highlights the act of twisting or altering the truth.

has engaged in falsehoods

A formal way of saying someone has been lying, emphasizing repeated actions.

has purveyed falsehoods

Suggests actively spreading lies or false information.

FAQs

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

Use "has been lying" to describe an ongoing state of dishonesty. For example, "The company has been lying about its profits for years" indicates a sustained period of deception.

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

You can use alternatives like "has lied", "has been untruthful", or "has been deceiving" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been lying" or "has been laying"?

"Has been lying" is correct when referring to telling falsehoods. "Has been laying" refers to the act of placing something down, so it depends on the context you want to communicate.

What's the difference between "has been lying" and "has lied"?

"Has been lying" implies a continuous action, suggesting the person is still in the process of lying or has been lying for some time. "Has lied" indicates a completed action of telling a lie at some point in the past.