has been persecuting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been persecuting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of persecution that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The organization has been persecuting individuals based on their beliefs for several years now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Saddam has been persecuting the Kurds ever since he took power, more than twenty years ago.

The New Yorker

"When I was young, I used to look at a map of the world and dream of all the places in the world I wanted to see: Europe, America, Japan," an exhausted Ibrahim murmurs to me a few days later in his motel room in upstate New York, as he lies on his bed nursing the severe back pain that has been persecuting him since Seattle.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She has been persecuted, not prosecuted.

The New York Times

He added, "We feel the school has been persecuted".

The New York Times

"Mezcal has been persecuted since its origins," he says.

The Guardian

Her supporters say she has been persecuted because of her religion.

The New York Times

"No book has been persecuted as much or loved as much.

The New York Times

She has been persecuted by Alexander Lukashenko's dictatorial regime, which made her leave Belarus in 2000.

The Guardian - Books

The highly technical ruling does not explicitly say he has been persecuted.

The New York Times

But it has been persecuted since Spanish colonial days and has flourished largely in the shadows of formal Christianity.

The New York Times

The man has been persecuted viciously in written reports, so why can't I write something good about him?

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been persecuting", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing pattern of mistreatment or oppression that started in the past and continues to the present. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "has been persecuting" to describe single or isolated incidents. This phrase implies a sustained and systematic pattern of mistreatment, not just a one-time occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been persecuting" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. This continuous aspect is key to its meaning, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been persecuting" is a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an ongoing action that started in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, though relatively rare in usage. Its primary function is to convey prolonged mistreatment, often found in news and media contexts to describe situations of oppression or harassment. Related phrases include "is currently oppressing" and "is systematically abusing", offering alternative ways to express similar ideas. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing pattern and avoid confusing it with single, isolated incidents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is currently oppressing

This alternative replaces "persecuting" with "oppressing", which carries a similar meaning of unjust and cruel exercise of power.

is systematically abusing

This phrase uses "systematically abusing" to convey a structured and repeated pattern of mistreatment, similar to persecution.

is continually harassing

This alternative uses "continually harassing" to emphasize ongoing and persistent forms of mistreatment.

is actively victimizing

This alternative highlights the active role in causing someone to become a victim.

is relentlessly targeting

This phrase emphasizes the consistent and focused nature of the action toward a particular target.

is subjecting to oppression

This alternative uses a more formal tone, replacing "persecuting" with the more general term "oppression."

is carrying out a witch hunt against

This idiom implies a targeted campaign based on flimsy evidence, creating a climate of fear and suspicion.

is waging a campaign against

This alternative conveys a structured and determined effort to harm or disadvantage a specific group.

is conducting a purge of

This alternative conveys a more radical and ruthless removal of perceived enemies or undesirables.

is discriminating against

This alternative uses "discriminating against" to convey unfair treatment based on prejudice.

FAQs

How do I properly use "has been persecuting" in a sentence?

Use "has been persecuting" to describe an ongoing action of persecution that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, "The government has been persecuting minority groups for decades."

What are some alternatives to "has been persecuting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "is currently oppressing", "is systematically abusing", or "is continually harassing".

Is "has persecuted" or "has been persecuting" more appropriate?

"Has persecuted" describes a completed action in the past, while "has been persecuting" describes an action that began in the past and continues to the present. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the duration of the persecution.

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

"Has been persecuting" implies a longer duration that began in the past, while "is persecuting" suggests an action currently happening. If the persecution began some time ago and continues now, "has been persecuting" is more fitting.