has been seeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been seeping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gradual or slow process of something permeating or spreading, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The tension in the room has been seeping into our conversations, making it difficult to communicate openly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

"For a quarter of a century now, hope has been seeping out of me," he writes.

The Guardian - Books

But recently this anise-flavored spirit has been seeping back into the mainstream.

The New York Times - Arts

But the old heritage of what started in 1973 as the Whitbread Round the World Race has been seeping through.

Independent

Dance music is becoming normalized, even here, and has been seeping into other genres, from traditional pop to R&B.

The New York Times - Arts

Language has been seeping into art since the early days of the century, of course, and more than ever during the last ten years.

The New Yorker

Officials have acknowledged that radiation-contaminated groundwater has been seeping into the ocean since soon after meltdowns and explosions crippled the plant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

During and since Bashir's visit, South Africa has been seeped in legal and political controversy.

The Washington Post

Murmurs of dissatisfaction had been seeping from the ranks.

The New York Times

But cellphone signals have been seeping in, and soon there will be more.

The New York Times

Details of various bribery and corruption investigations have been seeping out ever since the Rio Games.

The Guardian - Sport

By then, though, news of Tibet had been seeping out into the world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been seeping" to describe a gradual, almost imperceptible process of something spreading or leaking, often in a metaphorical sense, such as "Hope has been seeping out of me".

Common error

Avoid using "has been seeping" too frequently in metaphorical contexts within the same piece of writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make the writing seem repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been seeping" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that began in the past and is still ongoing. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been seeping" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes a gradual process of spreading or leaking. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and provides numerous real-world examples. Its neutral register and adaptability make it suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in metaphorical contexts to maintain writing impact. Consider alternatives like "has been leaking" or "has been permeating" for nuanced meanings. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, writers can effectively use "has been seeping" in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been leaking

Replaces "seeping" with "leaking", emphasizing a more direct and potentially faster flow.

has been gradually spreading

Replaces "seeping" with a more explicit description of the process as gradual spreading.

has been permeating

Replaces "seeping" with "permeating", suggesting a more thorough and pervasive spread.

has been infiltrating

Replaces "seeping" with "infiltrating", implying a stealthy or unwanted entry.

has been creeping in

Replaces "seeping" emphasizing how undetected the action is. Also replaces "been seeping" with "been creeping in".

has been filtering

Replaces "seeping" with "filtering", suggesting a slow and deliberate process of passing through something.

has slowly penetrated

Replaces "seeping" emphasizing how slow the action is. Also replaces "been seeping" with "slowly penetrated".

has been diffusing

Replaces "seeping" with "diffusing", emphasizing a gradual spreading from a concentrated area.

has been trickling

Replaces "seeping" with "trickling", suggesting a very slow and gentle flow.

has been oozing

Replaces "seeping" with "oozing", emphasizing a slow and viscous flow, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been seeping" to describe a gradual and subtle process of something spreading or leaking. For example, "The influence of social media "has been seeping" into political campaigns."

What are some alternatives to "has been seeping"?

Alternatives include "has been leaking", "has been permeating", or "has been infiltrating", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "has been seeping" or "is seeping"?

"Has been seeping" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is seeping" describes an action happening now. The choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "has been seeping" and "has seeped"?

"Has been seeping" indicates a continuous action over time, while "has seeped" implies a completed action with a present result. For example, "Water has been seeping into the basement for weeks" versus "Water has seeped into the basement."