has been walking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been walking" 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 ongoing or repeated actions. Example: "She has been walking to work every day since she moved to the city."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Everyone has been walking around like zombies.

The New York Times - Sports

China has been walking a careful line with Pakistan.

The New York Times

She also has been walking to work to save money.

The New York Times

For the past three years America has been walking softly, and it's working very, very well.

The Economist

Rupert has been walking his son to school this past week.

The New Yorker

He has been walking the city with binoculars for about 15 years, seeking them out.

The New York Times

Richard Long, land artist, has been walking and walking, ceaselessly, for more than half a century.

Independent

I snap out of it when I realize Rangi has been walking away from us.

The New Yorker

John Fritz, also of Vernon, has been walking in these woods for years.

The New York Times

Tan has been walking the fine line between picture books and graphic novels for years now.

The New York Times - Books

She says she has been walking an hour a day trying to catch more.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a habitual action, "has been walking" is useful for illustrating consistency over time. For example, "She "has been walking" to work every day for the past year".

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense ("walked") when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the activity. "She walked to work" implies a completed action, whereas "she "has been walking" to work" emphasizes the continued habit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been walking" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, emphasizing duration and continuity. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

17%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been walking" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe an ongoing action that began in the past and continues to the present. Its prevalence in news media, as shown by Ludwig, indicates its suitability for general and formal contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of the continuous aspect, and avoid confusing it with the simple past tense. Consider alternatives like "has been strolling" or "has been hiking" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has kept walking

Highlights the continuous nature of the action, often despite obstacles.

has walked continuously

Emphasizes the unbroken nature of the walking action over a period of time.

has been strolling

Suggests a more leisurely and relaxed pace of walking.

has been hiking

Implies walking in a natural environment, often for recreation or exercise.

has regularly walked

Focuses on the habitual or routine nature of the walking activity.

has journeyed on foot

Highlights the act of traveling a distance by walking.

has been trekking

Suggests a long and arduous journey, often in difficult terrain.

has spent time walking

Focuses on the duration that has been spent walking.

has maintained a walking pace

Focuses on the consistency of the speed and method of movement.

has persisted in walking

Emphasizes the determination and continued effort involved in walking.

FAQs

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

Use "has been walking" to describe a continuous action that started in the past and is still happening now. For example, "He "has been walking" for hours" indicates he started walking in the past and is still walking.

What's the difference between "has been walking" and "walked"?

"Has been walking" indicates a continuous action over a period, while "walked" implies a completed action at a specific point in the past. For example, "She "has been walking" in the park all morning" versus "She walked to the store yesterday".

What are some alternatives to "has been walking"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been strolling" (for a leisurely walk), "has been hiking" (for walking in nature), or "has been trekking" (for a long, difficult journey).

Is it correct to say "has been walk" instead of "has been walking"?

No, "has been walk" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "has been walking", which uses the present participle (walking) to indicate a continuous action. Use the -ing form after "has been" for continuous tenses.