have always been

USAGE SUMMARY

"have always been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this when referring to something that has been true for a long period of time. For example, "We have always been friends since we were kids."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have always been middlemen.

The New Yorker

"I have always been me".

Independent

I have always been ambitious".

Independent

There have always been bullies.

The New York Times

("Those have always been illegal").

The New Yorker

Some have always been single.

Independent

I have always been repelled.

Yale University

There have always been droughts.

Yale University

People have always been helpful.

Harvard University

There have always been Washington killjoys.

The New Yorker

"The Redskins have always been the Redskins.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have always been" to emphasize the enduring nature of a characteristic, state, or action. It's effective when you want to highlight continuity over time.

Common error

While "have always been" can effectively highlight continuity, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or overly emphatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have always been" functions as an auxiliary verb construction used to form the present perfect continuous tense. This construction indicates an action or state that began in the past and has continued up to the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

18%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have always been" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to express continuity and persistence over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides ample examples across diverse sources, from news outlets to academic publications. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid overemphasis and to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning. Remember to use "has always been" with singular subjects. Alternatives such as ""have consistently been"" or ""have invariably been"" can add subtle nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have consistently been

This alternative emphasizes the regularity and unbroken nature of the state or action.

have invariably been

This alternative stresses that the state or action has been a constant occurrence without exception.

have historically been

This alternative highlights the long-standing nature of something from a historical perspective.

have traditionally been

This alternative is useful when referring to customs or practices that have persisted over generations.

have perpetually been

This alternative suggests that something has been ongoing without interruption.

have continuously been

This alternative focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the state or action.

have eternally been

This alternative implies a timeless, never-ending quality.

have constantly been

This alternative indicates a frequent and regular occurrence or state.

have routinely been

This alternative suggests that the state or action is a normal or expected part of a process or situation.

have habitually been

This alternative implies that something is a matter of habit or ingrained behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "have always been" in a sentence?

Use "have always been" to indicate that something has been true or a consistent characteristic over a significant period of time. For example, "They "have always been friends"".

What are some alternatives to "have always been"?

Alternatives include "have consistently been", "have invariably been", or "have historically been", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "has always been"?

Yes, "has always been" is grammatically correct, but it is used with singular subjects, whereas "have always been" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "I" or "you". For example, "She "has always been kind"".

What's the difference between "have always been" and "used to be"?

"Have always been" indicates a state or characteristic that has persisted continuously. "Used to be" indicates a state or characteristic that was true in the past but is no longer true. For example, "This "used to be a park", but now it's a building".