have been complaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been complaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often indicating a sense of frustration or dissatisfaction. Example: "They have been complaining about the noise from the construction site for weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Tourists have been complaining".

The New York Times

"All of us collectively have been complaining".

The New York Times

You have been complaining about your metabolism slowing down.

The New Yorker

American officials themselves have been complaining that they cannot cope.

The Economist

They are not the only ones who have been complaining.

The New York Times

All this time, people have been complaining about Bill T.

The New York Times - Arts

Queens residents have been complaining seemingly forever about airport noise.

The New York Times

He could have been complaining about air travel in general.

The New York Times

Developers have been complaining bitterly about iCloud, with good reason.

The Guardian - Tech

FiOS users, especially on the East Coast, have been complaining of increasingly poor Netflix streaming performance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But customers have been complaining that the superstores across the country are too remote.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been complaining", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is complaining about. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been complaining" when the complaining has ceased. Use "complained" instead to indicate a past, completed action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been complaining" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the present perfect progressive tense. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes an ongoing state of expressing dissatisfaction or grievance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been complaining" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing expressions of dissatisfaction or grievance. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It functions to highlight that the complaining is not a singular event but a repeated or continuous action, adding emphasis to the subject's discontent. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts but also finds use in academic and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the subject and the object of their complaints. Alternatives like ""have voiced concerns"" or ""have expressed dissatisfaction"" can provide a more formal tone, while options like "have been griping" or "have been grumbling" suggest a less intense form of complaint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have expressed dissatisfaction

A formal way of indicating unhappiness or disappointment.

have expressed grievances

Highlights the perceived injustice or unfairness underlying the complaints.

have voiced concerns

A more neutral and professional way of expressing unease or worry.

have lodged complaints

Suggests a formal and official process of making a complaint.

have been protesting

Focuses more on active opposition or demonstration, rather than simple dissatisfaction.

have been objecting

Indicates a more formal or official expression of disagreement.

have raised objections

Similar to objecting, but emphasizes the act of bringing the issue to attention.

have been lamenting

Implies a sense of sorrow or grief in addition to expressing discontent.

have been griping

Similar to grumbling, but can also imply a more persistent and nagging complaint.

have been grumbling

Suggests a low-level, often private expression of annoyance.

FAQs

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

Use "have been complaining" to describe an ongoing state of expressing dissatisfaction, such as: "Residents "have been complaining" about the noise for weeks."

What are some alternatives to "have been complaining"?

Alternatives include "have voiced concerns", "have expressed dissatisfaction", or "have raised objections", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "has been complaining" instead of "have been complaining"?

Use "has been complaining" for singular subjects (e.g. "He has been complaining"), and "have been complaining" for plural subjects (e.g. "They have been complaining").

What's the difference between "have been complaining" and "complained"?

"Have been complaining" indicates an ongoing or repeated action, while "complained" indicates a completed action in the past. For example, "They "have been complaining" about the service" suggests they are still complaining. "They complained about the service" suggests they complained once in the past.