has been wandering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been wandering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state that started in the past and continues into the present, often in a metaphorical or literal sense. Example: "She has been wandering through the forest for hours, searching for a way back home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

By some accounts, it has been wandering the streets for at least a week.

The New York Times

Recently Tony Lloyd, the minister for Africa, has been wandering around Central Africa trying to make peace.

The Economist

Here in the Northeast, it has been wandering around, premature and a little lost, all winter long.

The New York Times

I'm not sure if it's the heat but my mind has been wandering and I'm finding it hard to concentrate.

The Guardian - Sport

2.15pm: Our comment cartoonist, Steve Bell, has been wandering around conference over the past few days making sketches of the big political beasts.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the male suspect and the officer have continued their cat-and-mouse chase, the female suspect has been wandering through the store.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

As many as 70 elephants have been wandering around Bangkok.

The Economist

The pair have been wandering Main Street hand in hand.

The New York Times

They have been wandering about town for 18 months.

The New York Times

For a long time, I've been wandering with them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I've been wandering around New York hacking people to death".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been wandering" to describe an ongoing state of movement or aimlessness that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The lost dog has been wandering the streets for days."

Common error

Avoid using "has been wandering" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, use "wandered". For example, instead of "He has been wandering through the forest yesterday", use "He wandered through the forest yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been wandering" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and is ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been wandering" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing or recently completed action of moving without a clear destination. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news and media, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Alternatives include "has been roaming" and "has been drifting". Remember to use the correct tense and avoid using it to describe completed actions in the past. With its prevalence across different sources, "has been wandering" is a versatile and valuable phrase to understand and use effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been roaming

Replaces "wandering" with "roaming", suggesting a similar aimless movement, but potentially over a larger area.

has been drifting

Uses "drifting" instead of "wandering", implying a lack of direction or purpose in the movement.

has been meandering

Substitutes "wandering" with "meandering", suggesting a slow and winding path.

has been straying

Replaces "wandering" with "straying", implying a deviation from a set course or path.

has been traipsing

Uses "traipsing" instead of "wandering", suggesting a casual or leisurely movement, often on foot.

has been gallivanting

Substitutes "wandering" with "gallivanting", implying a joyful or festive movement from place to place.

has been rambling

Replaces "wandering" with "rambling", suggesting a long, unstructured walk or journey.

has been trekking

Uses "trekking" instead of "wandering", implying a more arduous or challenging journey.

has been gallivanting around

It suggests a joyful and often aimless roaming from place to place, adding an emphasis on the lack of specific destination.

has been traipsing around

Adds "around", suggesting an undirected and perhaps frivolous movement in a particular area.

FAQs

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

"Has been wandering" is used to describe a continuous action of moving aimlessly. For instance, "The lost cat "has been wandering" around the neighborhood since yesterday".

What are some alternatives to "has been wandering"?

You can use alternatives like "has been roaming", "has been drifting", or "has been meandering" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had been wandering" instead of "has been wandering"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Has been wandering" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Had been wandering" indicates an action that was in progress in the past, before another past action occurred. For example, "He had been wandering for hours before he found the cabin".

What's the difference between "wandering" and "roaming"?

"Wandering" implies a lack of direction or purpose, while "roaming" suggests a more general movement over a wide area. You might say someone "has been wandering" if they are lost, but "roaming" if they are exploring.