has been tricking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been tricking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of deceiving or misleading someone that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "He has been tricking his friends into believing he is a professional magician for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

In these books Jonathan routinely finds out that Emma has been tricking him and then makes up with her, only to be tricked again.

The New York Times - Books

He has established his own car-customizing club, called Team Baurtwell, and has been tricking out trucks and cars for rappers like Cam'ron, Bubba Sparxxx and Ludacris.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The factory has been tricking us for 10 years," one worker said, according to the BBC.

Vice

Emig has been tricking for 20 years and doing stunts for five years.

Vice

Karns has been tricking for over seven years and doing stunts for five-and-a-half years.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The Brooks Atkinson proscenium has been tricked up to suggest a Victorian music hall.

The New York Times

Or, more likely, just a first draft that has been tricked out with excellent production values?

The New Yorker

That's true even when the nomiya has been tricked out beyond recognition.

The New York Times - Travel

"The mind has been tricked," Mr. Young said at the time, sounding a bit like Yoda, "but the heart is sad".

The New York Times - Books

He has been tricked into running off not with the object of his affections, but her older sister.

The Guardian

In fact, even Modic has been tricked.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been tricking", ensure the context clearly indicates who is being deceived and the method of deception. This will prevent ambiguity and strengthen your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been tricking" when the deception is a one-time event. This phrase implies a continuing or repeated action. For a single instance, use "tricked" or "deceived".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been tricking" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It describes an action of deception that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe ongoing deceitful behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been tricking" serves as a present perfect progressive verb construction, denoting an ongoing deceptive action. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure and application across diverse media and news contexts. While infrequently used, according to Ludwig's data, its purpose is typically to express criticism or accusations regarding someone's deceitful actions. When employing this phrase, prioritizing clarity and contextual relevance will enhance the effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been deceiving

Replaces "tricking" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of misleading.

has been misleading

Focuses on guiding someone towards a wrong conclusion or belief.

has been deceiving all along

Adds emphasis on the duration and persistence of the deceptive behavior.

has consistently tricked

Highlights the repetitive nature of the trickery.

has manipulated

Suggests a more calculated and strategic form of deception.

has outsmarted

Implies using superior intelligence to deceive or gain an advantage.

has been fooling

Uses a more informal term for deceiving.

has taken advantage of

Indicates exploiting someone's vulnerability.

has defrauded

Implies financial deception or scam.

has bamboozled

Uses a more playful and less serious term for tricking.

FAQs

What does "has been tricking" mean?

The phrase "has been tricking" means that someone has been engaging in deceptive or misleading behavior over a period of time. It suggests a pattern of trickery.

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

You can use "has been tricking" to describe someone who consistently deceives others. For example: "The company "has been tricking" its customers with hidden fees."

What are some alternatives to "has been tricking"?

Some alternatives include "has been deceiving", "has been misleading", or "has been fooling", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "has been tricking" formal or informal?

The phrase "has been tricking" is generally considered neutral in formality. While not overly formal, it's also not strictly informal and can be used in a variety of contexts.