has been roasting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been roasting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of criticizing or making fun of someone or something, often in a humorous context. Example: "The comedian has been roasting his friends all night, and everyone is in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

She has been roasting red bricks on the stove.

The New York Times

She has been roasting turkeys for 50 years.

The New York Times

After all it has been roasting in a hot oven for hours!

Independent

Coffee company De Draak goes back even further: it has been roasting handpicked beans since 1864.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Ramos, 53, learned the trade from his father, Bernardo, and has been roasting pigs more than half his life.

The New York Times - Travel

Lately, Mr. Fox has been roasting carrots on cedar paper and serving them with a carrot-top pesto.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The tomato has been roasted and skinned so that it is sweet and pulpy.

The New York Times - Food

Young boar, or wild pig, that has been roasted, grilled, braised, or smoked is considered a delicacy, as is pheasant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pork-belly starter (£6.50) comes with a mixed-bean salad and has been "roasted slowly for five hours".

Independent

It's the grind, the temperature, when the bean has been roasted, how long the bean has rested after being roasted — they say seven or six days.

The New York Times

Chicken that has been roasted, broiled, baked, grilled or poached is a wonderful choice when there is absolutely nothing else.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In figurative contexts, use "has been roasting" to imply consistent and often humorous criticism or mockery, ensuring the tone aligns with your intended message.

Common error

Avoid using "has been roasting" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral or serious tone is required. Opt for phrases like "has been heavily criticized" or "has been the subject of scrutiny" instead.

Linguistic Context

Has been roasting functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It signifies an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently finished. It is primarily used to describe either a continuous cooking process or a sustained period of criticism.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Food

20%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been roasting" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions in both culinary and figurative contexts. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used. Its primary function is to communicate a continuous activity, whether it's the literal act of cooking or the act of persistent criticism. While generally neutral, the phrase can be informal when used to describe mockery. News & Media is the most frequent context, followed by Food and Travel. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "has been criticizing" or "has been subject to scrutiny" to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been lambasting

Conveys strong criticism or condemnation, intensifying the negative connotation of "roasting".

has been criticised heavily

Focuses on the severity of criticism, similar to the intense aspect of "roasting".

has been grilling

Focuses on intense questioning or scrutiny, similar to the critical aspect of "roasting".

has been mocking

Highlights derision or ridicule, akin to a more cutting form of "roasting".

has been under fire

Implies being subjected to criticism, which is similar to being "roasted".

has been constantly berated

Conveys ongoing scolding or reprimanding, which is analogous to a verbal "roasting".

has been teasing

Emphasizes a playful form of mockery, lessening the intensity compared to "roasting".

has been continually cooking

Shifts the focus to a persistent culinary action, related to the literal meaning of roasting.

has been steadily heating

Implies a constant increase in temperature or intensity, paralleling the process of roasting.

has consistently baked

Highlights the regularity of the baking process, similar to the continuous aspect of "roasting".

FAQs

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

You can use "has been roasting" to describe a continuous cooking process, as in "The chef "has been roasting" the vegetables for hours." Alternatively, it can describe consistent criticism, as in "The comedian "has been roasting" celebrities all night".

What are some alternatives to "has been roasting" when referring to criticism?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been criticizing", "has been mocking", or "has been lambasting".

Is "has been roasting" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "has been roasting" can sound informal, especially when used to describe criticism. In formal writing, consider more neutral alternatives such as "has been subject to criticism" or "has been scrutinized".

What is the difference between "has been roasting" and "has been grilling"?

"Has been roasting" typically implies cooking with dry heat in an oven or over an open fire, or a continuous process of humorous criticism. "Has been grilling", on the other hand, refers to cooking food on a grill or intensely questioning someone.