have been lying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been lying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has been untruthful over a period of time leading up to the present moment. Example: "I have been lying about my whereabouts for the past week, and I regret it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It began: "The Democrats have been lying.

The New York Times

The truth is, S. and her husband have been lying.

The New York Times

Not all gun-ownership advocates have been lying low.

The Washington Post

The other 20% must have been lying or deluded.

The Guardian

The government said the rebels might have been lying.

The New York Times

Q: So you thought Mitchell could have been lying?

The Guardian

Sater appears to have been lying about the connections.

The New Yorker

He thinks GPs may have been lying last year.

The Guardian - Opinion

She and her husband have been lying to her in-laws about going to church.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

They've been lying".

The Guardian

"I've been lying my whole life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been lying", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration or repeated nature of the deception. Be specific about what they have lied about to strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "have been lying" when referring to a single, isolated incident. This phrase implies a pattern of repeated untruthfulness over time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been lying" functions as a present perfect continuous tense verb phrase. It indicates an action (lying) that started in the past and has continued up to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. The examples show it used to describe ongoing deception.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been lying" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing or repeated action of deception. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in news and media to accuse or highlight untruthfulness. When writing, ensure that the context implies a continuous or repeated pattern of lying, and avoid using it for isolated incidents. Consider softer alternatives like "have misrepresented the facts" if you want to reduce the accusatory tone. The phrase is generally considered neutral in register, suitable for various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have not been telling the truth

A more direct, yet less accusatory, way of saying someone is lying.

have been untruthful

A more formal way of saying "have been lying".

have been deceiving others

Highlights the impact of the lie on the recipients.

have misrepresented the truth

Focuses on distorting the truth rather than outright lying.

have provided false information

Focuses on the inaccuracy of the information given.

have fabricated stories

Emphasizes the creation of false narratives.

have been creating a false impression

Focuses on the misleading effect of the lies.

have engaged in deception

Highlights the act of deceiving, a broader concept than lying.

have been bending the truth

Suggests a slight distortion of facts, rather than a complete fabrication.

have perpetrated a falsehood

A more formal and emphatic way of stating a lie has been committed.

FAQs

How do I use "have been lying" in a sentence?

Use "have been lying" to describe a continuous or repeated action of not telling the truth over a period of time. For example, "The company officials "have been lying" about their financial losses for years."

What's a more formal way to say "have been lying"?

A more formal alternative to "have been lying" is "have been untruthful". For instance, you could say, "The witness "has been untruthful" in their testimony."

What's the difference between "have been lying" and "lied"?

"Have been lying" implies a continuous or repeated action in the past leading up to the present, whereas "lied" refers to a single, completed act of deception. For example, "He "lied" about his age" vs. "He "has been lying" about his income for years."

What can I say instead of "have been lying" to soften the statement?

To soften the statement, you can use phrases like "have misrepresented the facts" or "have been misleading". These options suggest inaccuracy rather than intentional deception.