have been eager

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been eager" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is enthusiastic about something. For example, "Ever since she saw the new sports car, she has been eager to try it out for a test drive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Lenders have been eager to expand their reach.

The New York Times

Federal officials have been eager to mollify the industry.

The New York Times

Politicians have been eager to join the khan's bandwagon.

The New York Times

They thought that they could control the skies and must have been eager to prove it.

University of California, Berkeley

Our undergraduates and faculty have been eager participants and critics in our bold undergraduate enhancements.

Stanford University

Carriers in Europe, as well as China, have been eager customers.

The Economist

To say that readers have been eager for another novel is to put it very mildly.

The New Yorker

Turkey must have been eager to shoot down a Russian aircraft.

Independent

Team officials have been eager to bring him over for the past year.

The New York Times - Sports

And companies like Restoration Hardware have been eager to meet the demand.

The New York Times

In central and eastern Europe, by contrast, westerners have been eager buyers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, choose "have been eager" over more ambiguous alternatives like "anxious" if your intent is solely to convey enthusiasm, avoiding any implication of worry.

Common error

Avoid using "have been eager" when the context suggests worry or unease. "Anxious" implies concern, while "eager" denotes enthusiasm. Ensure your word choice accurately reflects the intended emotion to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been eager" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present perfect continuous tense of the verb 'to be' combined with the adjective 'eager'. It describes a continuous state of enthusiasm or willingness that started in the past and continues to the present, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been eager" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a sustained enthusiasm or anticipation for something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly found in news, academic, and professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects sustained enthusiasm and isn't confused with "anxious", which implies worry. Consider alternatives like "have been keen" or "have been willing" to fine-tune your message. Its frequent use across various authoritative sources makes it a reliable choice for expressing consistent enthusiasm.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been keen

Replaces "eager" with "keen", suggesting a strong interest or enthusiasm.

have been enthusiastic

Substitutes "eager" with "enthusiastic", emphasizing excitement and positive energy.

have been willing

Indicates a readiness or preparedness to do something, rather than a strong desire.

have been anxious

Implies a sense of anticipation or even slight nervousness, not just enthusiasm.

have been impatient

Suggests a restlessness or eagerness that can lead to haste.

were looking forward to

Shifts the focus to anticipation of a future event, replacing "eager" with a more specific expression of looking forward.

have been disposed

Suggests a tendency toward or inclination to do something, implying a willingness.

have yearned

Conveys a deep longing or desire, more intense than simple eagerness.

have coveted

Implies a strong desire to possess something, rather than a general eagerness.

have desired

Replaces "eager" with "desired" to show the wanting of something

FAQs

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

Use "have been eager" to describe a prolonged state of enthusiasm or anticipation, as in "Researchers "have been eager" to test this type of T-cell".

What are some alternatives to "have been eager"?

You can use alternatives like "have been keen", "have been willing", or "have been anxious" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "have been eager" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have been eager" is grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

What's the difference between "have been eager" and "are eager"?

"Have been eager" describes a state of eagerness that has persisted over time, while "are eager" describes a current state of eagerness. For example, "They "have been eager" to test the system for months" versus "They "are eager" to test the system now".