has been petitioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been petitioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of formally requesting something, typically in a legal or political context. Example: "The organization has been petitioning the government for better environmental regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

A social media campaign has been petitioning the Mail's advertisers to pull business from the paper.

The Guardian

Rinse has been petitioning for an FM licence since 2007, organising an international petition.

The Guardian - Music

The Nevada senator Harry Reid has been petitioning the Obama administration to declare the area around City a national monument, though no one is celebrating yet.

The Guardian - Arts

In America the regulator in question is the Food and Drug Administration, which Aqua Bounty says it has been petitioning for more than a decade and which published guidelines for approving genetically engineered animals in 2009.

The Economist

Northern Ireland has been petitioning London for the power to cut corporation tax; if it succeeds, Scotland will surely demand the same.The inducements offered to Scots will increase the pressure for changes in other parts of Britain.

The Economist

Since 2010, the Observatory – a coalition of 43 groups that documents serious crimes against women – has been petitioning for a gender-based violence alert to be activated in Edomex.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

The government has been petitioned several times on this issue.

The Guardian - Travel

Arm-wrestling is not an Olympic event, though the United States Olympic Committee has been petitioned.

The New York Times

Since marijuana was added to Schedule 1 in 1972, the government has been petitioned four times to remove or re-schedule the drug.

Independent

Is that something we can talk about?' " The answer was yes, even though Mr. Homem has been petitioned by much larger and better-known museums than the Tang.

The New York Times - Arts

Recently, EPA has been petitioned to remove all refuge requirements.

Crop Protection

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been petitioning" to describe a sustained effort to formally request something from an authority or organization. It implies a continuous or repeated action over a period.

Common error

Avoid using "has been petitioning" in informal contexts where a simple request would suffice. This phrase implies a degree of formality and persistence inappropriate for casual situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been petitioning" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the present perfect progressive tense. It describes an ongoing effort to formally request something. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from political advocacy to legal appeals.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been petitioning" is a verb phrase used to describe an ongoing, formal request to an authority. Ludwig's analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. Alternatives include "has been requesting" and "has been appealing", but the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase denotes a sustained effort, implying a level of formality and persistence. When using the phrase, ensure the context warrants a formal tone; otherwise, a simpler term like "asking" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been requesting

Replaces "petitioning" with a more general term for asking.

has been appealing

Emphasizes a formal request, often in a legal or official context.

has been lobbying

Suggests attempts to influence decision-makers, particularly in government.

has been advocating

Highlights support for a cause through repeated requests.

has been urging

Implies persistent and earnest requests.

has been pressing for

Indicates insistent demands for something.

has been campaigning for

Suggests an organized effort to achieve a goal.

has been soliciting

Focuses on seeking or asking for something, often support or contributions.

has been entreating

Highlights earnest and humble requests.

has been suing for

Emphasizes legal action to obtain something.

FAQs

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

Use "has been petitioning" to describe an ongoing effort to formally request something from an authority. For example, "The community "has been petitioning" the city council for a new park."

What are some alternatives to "has been petitioning"?

Alternatives include "has been requesting", "has been appealing", or "has been lobbying", depending on the context and level of formality.

What's the difference between "has been petitioning" and "has been asking"?

"Has been petitioning" implies a more formal and sustained effort than "has been asking". Petitioning typically involves a written request or formal appeal to an authority.

When is it appropriate to use "has been petitioning" instead of "has been requesting"?

Use "has been petitioning" when the request is formal, often involving a written petition or legal process. "Has been requesting" is a more general term suitable for less formal situations.