has been teasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been teasing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of playfully provoking or making fun of someone or something, typically in a light-hearted manner. Example: "She has been teasing her brother about his new haircut all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science & Research

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Fry has been teasing his near 5 million Twitter followers about the performance for seven months.

The Guardian

Trump, who won five more primaries on Tuesday, has been teasing a presidential run on and off since 1987.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since that 2003 study, a flurry of research has been teasing out the role that endocannabinoids play in the body's reaction to exercise.

The New York Times

The company has been teasing the release for the last week, following rumours since late last year that Bethesda was reviving the game.

Independent

Zara, zara.com: The Spanish retailer has been teasing customers with discounts, but it is about to surprise us on Boxing Day.

Independent

Everyone else has been teasing more, we're teasing less.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

"She has been teased a bit.

The Guardian

Mortimer, it seems, has been teased about her running action all her life.

Independent

Beyond his political studies, Itoje has been teased by his team-mates for writing poetry.

The Guardian - Sport

Over the years the debate has been teased out in either direction.

The Guardian - Film

The feature has been teased in past versions of the home robot.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been teasing" to create anticipation for a future reveal or event. It effectively communicates ongoing efforts to pique interest.

Common error

Avoid using "has been teasing" too frequently in a short span. Overuse can diminish the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms or rephrase to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been teasing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It's used to describe an action that started in the past and is ongoing or has recently ceased, often with an emphasis on the duration or repetition of the action. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

6%

Science & Research

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been teasing" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase frequently used to describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present, often to create anticipation or express playful amusement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical usage, with examples predominantly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and to consider more formal alternatives in certain writing situations. Alternatives such as "has been hinting" or "has been alluding to" can be used to add nuance or formality, depending on the specific context. The phrase is very common across various sources but most frequently found in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been hinting

Replaces "teasing" with "hinting", suggesting a more subtle form of indication.

has been tantalizing

Replaces "teasing" with "tantalizing", indicating a deliberate attempt to provoke desire.

has been alluding to

Substitutes "teasing" with "alluding to", implying an indirect reference or suggestion.

has been teasing out

Emphasizes the gradual revealing of information or details.

has been whetting appetites

Focuses on stimulating desire or anticipation.

has been dropping hints

Highlights the act of providing subtle clues or suggestions.

has been leading on

Suggests a playful misleading or enticing behavior.

has been toying with

Suggests a more playful and less serious form of teasing.

has been stringing along

Implies a more prolonged and potentially manipulative form of teasing.

has been playing coy

Implies a deliberate attempt to be evasive or secretive.

FAQs

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

Use "has been teasing" to indicate someone or something has been playfully hinting at something over a period of time. For example, "The company "has been teasing" a new product launch for weeks."

What are some alternatives to "has been teasing"?

Alternatives include "has been hinting", "has been alluding to", or "has been tantalizing", which can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "has been teasing" and "is teasing"?

"Has been teasing" implies a continued action over a period, whereas "is teasing" suggests the action is happening now. "She "has been teasing" him about his new car" means she's teased him multiple times. "She is teasing him about his new car" means she's doing it at this moment.

Is it appropriate to use "has been teasing" in formal writing?

While "has been teasing" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In more formal writing, alternatives like "has been hinting" or "has been suggesting" might be more suitable. The best choice depends on the desired level of formality and the specific nuance you wish to convey.