have been a regular at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been a regular at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone frequently visits a particular place, such as a restaurant, bar, or event. Example: "Since moving to the neighborhood, I have been a regular at the local coffee shop, enjoying my morning brew there every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The gunman who killed 49 people in an attack on a gay nightclub in Orlando is said to have been a regular at the venue and had messaged several people on gay dating apps, according to reports.

The Guardian

In a 1956 Talk story, he related the complaints of a saloon habitué who would surely not have been a regular at Bozic's bar: The bartender of today has no more real knowledge of his trade than a smelt.

The New Yorker

I wna b da 1st UK woman 2 kill a UK or US terorrist!" Dare, who previously posted a picture of her toddler son posing with an AK47 rifle, is thought to have been a regular at the Lewisham Islamic Centre, which was allegedly linked to Michael Adebolajo, the killer of fusilier Lee Rigby.

The Guardian

Since being admitted to UEFA and FIFA after independence from Yugoslavia, Croatia have been a regular at major tournaments, qualifying for 10 of the past 12.

Forbes

Kerouac is said to have been a regular at this outdoor cafe near the University of California campus.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Several years ago, he had been a regular at the church.

The New York Times

She had been a regular at President Obama's addresses.

The New York Times

If he had been a regular at a neighborhood hangout, everyone would have known his name.

The New York Times

She has been a regular at City Quilter since it opened.

The New York Times

He has been a regular at ENO, and was an early contender for the music directorship.

The Guardian

He's now rediscovered the Robins and has been a regular at the ground this season".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been a regular at", ensure the context clearly indicates the place or event where the person frequently attends. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when describing the regularity. For example, don't switch between "have been a regular at" (present perfect) and simple past tense without a clear reason or shift in time frame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been a regular at" serves as a verb phrase indicating a habitual action of frequenting a particular place or event. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing consistent attendance over a period.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been a regular at" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe someone who frequents a place or event, according to Ludwig AI. While categorized as rare in frequency, its usage is straightforward, denoting consistent attendance. The primary context is typically found in news and media, with examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its neutral register. When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly specify the location or event to avoid ambiguity and maintain consistent tense usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

frequented

Uses a single verb to convey habitual attendance.

often visited

Replaces 'regular' with 'often' to indicate frequent visits.

was a frequent patron of

Employs 'patron' to suggest a supportive or customer-based relationship.

habitually went to

Highlights the habitual nature of visiting a place.

was a common sight at

Focuses on the visual presence of the person at the location.

was known to frequent

Indicates a known habit of visiting a particular place.

spent a lot of time at

Emphasizes the duration spent at a place.

haunted

Informal term to convey a strong preference to be at a certain place

was no stranger to

Highlights the familiarity with the location

patronized regularly

Indicates a customer relationship with the place, visited frequently.

FAQs

How do I use "have been a regular at" in a sentence?

Use "have been a regular at" to describe someone who frequently visits a particular place or attends a specific event. For example, "Since moving to the neighborhood, I "have been a regular at" the local coffee shop".

What can I say instead of "have been a regular at"?

You can use alternatives like "frequented", "often visited", or "was a frequent patron of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been a regular at" or "has been a regular at"?

"Have been a regular at" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They have been a regular at the library"), while "has been a regular at" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "She has been a regular at the gym").

What's the difference between "have been a regular at" and "used to go to"?

"Have been a regular at" implies ongoing frequent visits, whereas "used to go to" indicates a past habit that may no longer be current.