has been standing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been standing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in the context of physical presence or stability. Example: "The statue has been standing in the park for over a century, witnessing countless changes in the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not as if Intel has been standing still.

The New York Times

It has been standing derelict for 17 years.

The Guardian

"The factory has been standing empty since it closed.

The Guardian

Mr. Springsteen has been standing up for the forgotten since the mid-'70s.

The New York Times

But it has been standing so long, the insult may have lost some of its sting.

The Economist

For years a Russian naval base in Syria has been standing empty.

The Economist

"Excuse me, sir?" An intern has been standing before the Job Creator for some time.

The New Yorker

There is a quail's egg that has been standing in vinegar for three years.

The Guardian

She has been standing next to Ginny, as quiet as a stone.

The New Yorker

All this time poor Marengo has been standing on only two feet.

The Guardian

In reality, however, she has been standing up for a perversion of that principle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been standing" to describe something that began in the past and continues to exist or remain upright in the present. For example, "The old oak tree has been standing in the town square for centuries."

Common error

Avoid shifting to a simple past tense when the action is ongoing. Incorrect: "The building has been standing since 1900, and it collapsed last year." Correct: "The building stood since 1900, and it collapsed last year."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been standing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig examples show its use in describing lasting physical presence or ongoing situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been standing" is a versatile verb phrase indicating a continuous state from the past to the present. It's grammatically correct and commonly used, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. To ensure clarity, use it to describe actions that began in the past and are still ongoing, avoiding inconsistent tense shifts. Common alternatives include "has stood" and "has remained standing". The phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has stood

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way of expressing the same idea, using the past participle form of the verb.

has remained standing

This alternative emphasizes the act of staying upright or in position, often against some force or expectation.

has been in place

This alternative focuses on the location or position of something over a period of time.

has been present

This alternative suggests a continuous existence or presence in a particular location or situation.

has existed

This alternative highlights the fact that something has been in existence for a certain duration.

has been present all along

This alternative emphasizes that something was in existence for a certain duration of time. It also carries a suggestion that this existing thing was ignored

has been erect

This alternative emphasizes that something has been built or is straight, standing on its feet.

has been stationed

This alternative indicates that something has been intentionally placed in a specific location.

has been waiting

This alternative suggests a period of anticipation or expectation in a stationary position.

has been firm

This alternative suggests that something has been standing strong. Something that has been resilient in the face of conflict or difficulties.

FAQs

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

Use "has been standing" to indicate that something started standing in the past and is still standing now. For example, "The monument "has been standing" in the park for over a century."

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

You can use alternatives like "has stood", "has remained standing", or "has been in place" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been standing" or "had been standing"?

Use "has been standing" for actions continuing into the present, and "had been standing" for actions completed in the past relative to another past action. For example: "He "has been standing" there all day." vs. "He had been standing there for hours before I arrived."

What is the difference between "has been standing" and "stood"?

"Has been standing" indicates a continuous state from the past to the present, while "stood" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "The house "has been standing" for 200 years" implies it still exists, while "The house stood on that hill" simply describes its past location.