has been saying

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been saying' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something someone has said repeatedly in the past, or has said for a period of time in the past up until now. For example, "My mom has been saying that I should start saving up for a rainy day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obama has been saying that for years.

The Washington Post

FTalphaville has been saying this all day, and it's right.

The New York Times

But it has been saying that for a while.

The Economist

Everybody has been saying that Obama is like Spock.

The New Yorker

Australia has been saying rather more than this, of course.

Independent

So — Q: Who has been saying you are terrorists?

The New York Times

This is what President Obama has been saying, essentially.

The Washington Post

Look at us, she has been saying for decades.

The Washington Post

"It's what Russia has been saying all these years".

The New Yorker

The share price has been saying this for a while.

The Guardian - Business

"Everyone has been saying it, Republicans and Democrats".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been saying", ensure the context clearly indicates the timeframe. This helps to avoid ambiguity and strengthens the overall impact.

Common error

Avoid using "has been saying" when referring to a single, isolated statement. It's intended for ongoing or repeated actions, not one-time occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been saying" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples of ongoing or repeated statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been saying" is a present perfect continuous phrase used to emphasize the duration or repetition of a statement. Ludwig AI analysis, alongside the examples provided, confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. It is best used to highlight persistence or consistency, and should be avoided when referring to a single, isolated statement. Alternatives include "has stated repeatedly" or "has consistently maintained", offering similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. With careful usage, "has been saying" can effectively convey ongoing perspectives and messages.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has stated repeatedly

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of the statement.

has consistently maintained

Highlights the unwavering nature of the statement.

has continuously asserted

Focuses on the ongoing and confident declaration of the statement.

has long argued

Indicates that the statement has been made over a significant period.

has previously mentioned

Highlights that the statement was made at some point in the past.

has often remarked

Indicates frequent comments on a specific subject.

has declared consistently

Focuses on unwavering declaration of a specific point of view.

has kept saying

Highlights the continuous, repetitive nature of the statement, focusing on persistence.

has communicated regularly

Focuses on the repeated communication, emphasizing frequency and consistency.

has expressed continuously

Highlights the sustained expression of the viewpoint or message.

FAQs

How do I use "has been saying" in a sentence?

Use "has been saying" to describe something someone has repeatedly stated over a period of time. For example, "The economist "has been saying" that a recession is imminent for months."

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

You can use alternatives like "has stated repeatedly", "has consistently maintained", or "has continuously asserted" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "has been saying" to describe a single event?

No, "has been saying" is best used to describe repeated actions or statements made over a period of time. For a single event, use a simple past tense like "said" or "stated".

What's the difference between "has been saying" and "said"?

"Has been saying" implies a continuous or repeated action, while "said" refers to a specific, completed action in the past. For example, "He said he was tired" versus "He "has been saying" he's tired all day."