has been questioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been questioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been in the process of questioning or doubting something over a period of time. Example: "She has been questioning the validity of the research findings for weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Blumenthal has been questioning everything for a while now.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the last decade, Ms. Castro has been questioning the relationship between performers and audience.

The New York Times - Arts

In the last 18 months, Mr. Koshalek has been questioning what a design school means.

The New York Times - Arts

"Everybody has been questioning everything about us, maybe even including our heart and character," Mystics Coach Marianne Stanley said.

The New York Times - Sports

Lord Turner has been questioning previous assumptions that the liquidity of markets and innovative financial products are both intrinsically good things.

The Economist

The report also comes as one of Mr. Giuliani's rivals for the presidential nomination, Mitt Romney, has been questioning his fiscal stewardship of the city.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Credit rating agencies have been questioning Congress about its credibility.

The New York Times

Short-sellers have been questioning Green Mountain's accounting for months.

The New York Times

Experts had been questioning its authorship for years.

The New York Times - Arts

Investors and analysts have been questioning how the company should be valued.

The New York Times

Many Latin American leaders and others have been questioning the current prohibitionist doctrine.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been questioning", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being questioned. Be specific about the object of the questioning to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been questioning" without specifying what the subject is questioning. For example, instead of saying "The expert has been questioning", specify "The expert has been questioning the methodology of the study" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been questioning" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It indicates an action (questioning) that began in the past and is ongoing or has recently ceased. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction implies a duration or a process of questioning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Arts

8%

Sports

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been questioning" is a present perfect progressive verb phrase indicating an ongoing or recently completed process of inquiry or doubt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the object of the questioning. Alternatives include "has been inquiring about" or "has been doubting", depending on the intended nuance. Remember to provide adequate context to avoid ambiguity, as highlighted by the writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been inquiring about

Focuses on the act of seeking information, emphasizing a formal or investigative approach.

has been doubting the validity of

Emphasizes skepticism and uncertainty regarding the truth or accuracy of something.

has expressed doubts about

Highlights the expression of uncertainty or skepticism without necessarily implying active investigation.

has been investigating

Highlights a systematic and thorough examination of a matter or situation.

has been challenging the assumption of

Focuses on questioning a fundamental belief or premise.

has been skeptical of

Implies a general tendency to doubt or disbelieve something.

has been probing into

Suggests a deeper, more intrusive level of investigation, often seeking hidden information.

has raised concerns regarding

Emphasizes expressing apprehension or worry about something.

has been examining the basis of

Focuses on the core reasoning or foundation upon which something is built.

has been reconsidering

Suggests a thoughtful review or reevaluation of something previously accepted.

FAQs

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

Use "has been questioning" to indicate that someone has been expressing doubts or inquiring about something over a period of time. For instance, "The analyst "has been questioning" the company's financial projections since last quarter".

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

You can use alternatives like "has been inquiring about", "has been doubting", or "has been investigating" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been questioning" or "is questioning"?

"Has been questioning" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is questioning" describes an action happening at the present moment. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the duration of the questioning.

What's the difference between "has been questioning" and "has questioned"?

"Has been questioning" implies a continuous or repeated action over a period, whereas "has questioned" suggests a completed action. For example, "The journalist "has been questioning" the senator for weeks" versus "The journalist "has questioned" the senator about the allegations".