has been tossing

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been tossing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: She has been tossing the ball back and forth for an hour. Alternative expressions include "has been throwing" and "has been flinging."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

President Obama has been tossing aside the calm jihad-draining insights of candidate Obama for a year now.

Independent

She has been tossing coins all her life using all sorts... She's furious about popular-fiction magazines in her beauty parlor and the psychiatrists giving advice.

The New Yorker

Browns management has been tossing the idea of drafting Brown or Arrington at No. 1 for several months, with a split on which player should be the choice.

The New York Times - Sports

For weeks, he has been tossing them into last-minute pastas, mashing them into easy herb pastes and in more desperate moments at Savoy, his restaurant in SoHo, eating them straight out of the jar.

The New York Times - Food

This season has introduced the psychotically unbalanced Lila (Jaime Murray), a young British woman with whom Dexter has been tossing about in dark satin sheets on a bed whose headboard casts shadows of spider webs on his back.

The New York Times - Arts

He also has been tossing bottles off the beach in Amagansett since he was 10. "When I was kid, my friend and I were on the beach, and we wrote our names and addresses in charcoal on a paper bag and put it in bottle," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Suddenly, a new criterion has been tossed into the equation.

The New York Times

A 15-page submission by Chambers has been tossed aside.

Independent

The word "lies" has been tossed around freely.

The New York Times

In true race car fashion, the back seat has been tossed.

The New York Times

We huddle in one corner, on the mattress, which has been tossed onto the floor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been tossing" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, often implying a light or casual manner of throwing or dealing with something. For example, "The company has been tossing around ideas for a new marketing campaign."

Common error

Avoid using "has been tossing" with plural subjects. The correct form for a plural subject is "have been tossing". For example, instead of "They has been tossing the ball", use "They have been tossing the ball."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been tossing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, from physical actions to abstract ideas. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been tossing" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase in English, functioning as a present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present, often implying a light, casual, or repeated action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communication scenarios. When using this phrase, remember to pair it with a singular subject and be mindful of its ongoing action implication. Alternatives include "has been throwing", "has been flipping", and "has been flinging".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been throwing

Replaces "tossing" with a more general term for propelling something through the air.

has been flipping

Suggests a quick, light throwing motion, often repeated.

has been flinging

Implies a more forceful and uncontrolled throwing action.

has been pitching

Similar to throwing, but often used in a business or sales context.

has been heaving

Indicates a heavy or strenuous throwing effort.

has been casting

Suggests a careful or deliberate throwing action, often used in fishing or magic.

has been lobbing

Implies throwing something high in the air, often with a curved trajectory.

has been chucking

An informal term for throwing something casually.

has been slinging

Suggests throwing something with a quick, fluid motion.

has been batting

An idiom often used about eyes that implies flirting.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been tossing" to describe an ongoing action of throwing something lightly or casually. For instance, "The chef has been tossing the salad with a light vinaigrette" or "The company has been tossing around ideas for a new product line".

What are some alternatives to "has been tossing"?

Alternatives include "has been throwing", "has been flipping", or "has been flinging" depending on the context and the force implied in the action.

Is "has been tossing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been tossing" is grammatically correct when used with a singular subject. For example, "He has been tossing the ball". The plural form is "have been tossing".

What's the difference between "has been tossing" and "has tossed"?

"Has been tossing" implies an ongoing or repeated action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "has tossed" ("has tossed") indicates a completed action. For example, "He has been tossing the ball for an hour" versus "He has tossed the ball into the basket".