has been roaming around

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been roaming around" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that has been moving or wandering in a particular area over a period of time. Example: "The stray dog has been roaming around the neighborhood for weeks, looking for food and shelter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While I've been immersed in the grim world of Kremlin politics, Phoebe has been roaming around Moscow under an open sky.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Beginning now here and now there, for years I have been roaming around, now in the novels, now in the realms of the Bleistiftgebiet [Pencil Regions], and whenever I resume my intermittent reading of Walser's writings, so, too, I always look again at the photographs we have of him, seven very different faces, stations in a life which hint at the silent catastrophe that has taken place between each.

The New Yorker

"He was telling her, 'I've been roaming around without my wife for too long,' " Ms. Alummoottil said.

The New York Times

Idema had been roaming around Afghanistan in 2004, trying to score the U.S. government's $50 million bounty for capturing Osama bin Laden.

The New York Times

His comments showed no remorse, adding that a decent girl would not have been roaming around after 9pm, and implying that girls were responsible for their own rapes.

The Guardian - Opinion

It seems that the filmmaker Michael Moore, who specializes in making light of politicians in their natural habitat, had been roaming around Iowa with a "portable mosh pit" -- 100 tightly packed college students on a flatbed truck.

The New York Times

Prior to staging the capture of that "killer" python, Justin was best known in Florida wildlife circles for having domesticated hybrid wolves that had been roaming around Manatee State Park.

Vice

They have been roaming the fells of Lakeland for 1,000 years.

Independent

Already, hydrogen buses have been roaming the streets of Vancouver and Chicago.

The Economist

You don't want one so large that she's roaming around, creating a fuss.

WikiHow

Now it's New York City's turn to write its own page in the book of strange clubbing regiments, and Daybreaker, a 7AM dance party that has quietly been roaming around the Big Apple, is helping lead the charge with their juice-filled, coffee-filled early morning throwdowns.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been roaming around" when you want to convey a sense of aimless or exploratory movement over a period of time, especially in a geographical area. For example: "The security guard has been roaming around the building all night."

Common error

Avoid using "has been roaming around" in highly formal or professional writing. Consider using more precise language depending on the context like "has been traveling about" or "has been exploring the area".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been roaming around" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past, has continued for a period of time, and may still be ongoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common construction in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been roaming around" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing, often aimless, movement over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts. More formal situations may require alternatives like "has been exploring the area". It appears frequently in news and media but less so in academic or scientific writing. Remember to use it when emphasizing the continuous nature of the movement, and consider your audience when choosing this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been wandering about

This alternative emphasizes aimless movement without a specific destination.

has been wandering around

Similar to the original, but slightly less formal and emphasizes the lack of a specific path.

has been traveling about

This alternative focuses on the act of travelling, but in a less structured way than a typical journey.

has been moving around

A more general term, indicating a change of location without specifying the manner.

has been exploring the area

This implies a more deliberate and investigative type of movement.

has been circulating within

Suggests movement within a specific boundary or group.

has been drifting through

This conveys a sense of passive movement, often influenced by external factors.

has been knocking about

An informal way to express wandering, often suggesting a casual or haphazard approach.

has been gallivanting through

Suggests a joyful and carefree movement, often for pleasure or entertainment.

has been traipsing around

Implies a tiring or burdensome journey, often involving difficult terrain.

FAQs

What does "has been roaming around" mean?

The phrase "has been roaming around" means that someone or something has been moving or wandering in a particular area over a period of time, often without a specific destination or purpose.

What are some synonyms for "has been roaming around"?

Some synonyms for "has been roaming around" include "has been wandering about", "has been traveling about", or "has been moving around", depending on the specific context.

How can I use "has been roaming around" in a sentence?

You can use "has been roaming around" to describe someone or something that has been moving without a clear destination. For example: "The lost dog has been roaming around the neighborhood for days."

Is "has been roaming around" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been roaming around" may be too informal for some formal writing contexts. Consider using more precise or formal alternatives like "has been exploring the area" or "has been circulating within", depending on the intended meaning.