has been practising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been practising" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been engaged in a practice or activity over a period of time up to the present moment. Example: "She has been practising the piano for three hours every day to prepare for the concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is why Corbyn has been practising with an autocue.

Independent

Everyone else has been practising for at least a year.

The Guardian - Travel

He said he has been practising too hard and getting in his own way.

Independent

Clearly, Dougherty has been practising his short game instead of reading his Greek mythology.

The Guardian - Sport

For 15 years, Thomas Struth has been practising the gentle martial art of tai chi chuan.

The Guardian - Arts

Langley-Smith has no qualifications or training but has been practising since 1996.

The Guardian - Money

It also happens to be something that the BBC has been practising for decades.

The Guardian - Opinion

Psychotherapist Elana Rosenbaum has been practising and teaching mindfulness stress reduction techniques since the early 1980s.

The Guardian

The Maldives cabinet has been practising its diving skills for a meeting underwater later this month.

The Guardian

"The guitarist has been practising that one for a year," she quips after one particularly complex song.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

IT Security has been practised as a dark art for too long.

Computers & Security

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been practising" to emphasize ongoing effort and development over time. For example, "She "has been practising" mindfulness to reduce stress."

Common error

Avoid using "has been practising" when referring to a completed action. Use a simple past tense instead. For example, instead of "He "has been practising" yesterday", say "He practised yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been practising" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its use to indicate an action started in the past and continuing into the present, emphasizing duration and ongoing effort.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been practising" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, with a primary presence in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, the specific register adapts to the surrounding context. Remember to use it to emphasize duration and continuous effort. Consider alternatives like "has been training" or "has been rehearsing" for nuanced meanings, and avoid using it when referring to completed actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been training

Focuses more on physical or skill-based preparation.

has been rehearsing

Specifically relates to preparing for a performance or event.

has been studying

Implies a more academic or intellectual pursuit.

has been working on

A more general phrase indicating effort towards improvement.

has been honing

Suggests refining and perfecting a skill.

has been developing

Highlights the process of growth and advancement.

has been cultivating

Implies careful and sustained effort over time.

has been perfecting

Focuses on achieving a high level of skill or mastery.

has been exercising

Relates to the application of a skill.

has experience in

Focuses on the accumulation of knowledge from practical activity.

FAQs

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

Use "has been practising" to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For instance, "The team "has been practising" diligently for the upcoming competition."

What's a good alternative to "has been practising"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "has been training", "has been rehearsing", or "has been studying".

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

"Has been practising" indicates an action continuing to the present, while "had been practising" refers to an action completed in the past before another past action. The choice depends on the intended meaning and context.

Is "has been practising" formal or informal?

"Has been practising" is generally neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The specific context and surrounding language will determine the overall tone.