have been out

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past activity or state that began in the past and continues up to the present. For example, "I have been out of town for the past two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, they have been out and about.

The New York Times - Sports

That should definitely have been out there.

The Guardian - Music

Moeen might have been out without scoring.

The Guardian - Sport

"The President should have been out there.

The New Yorker

Otherwise I would have been out on my neck.

Independent

But Pietersen should have been out for only six.

The New York Times - Sports

They will have been out earlier, too, catching your supper.

The Guardian - Travel

Actually he would have been out with a direct hit.

The Guardian - Sport

He could so easily have been out twice already.

The Guardian - Sport

With a good throw, Merloni would have been out easily.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

By all evidence, you have been out-organized.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been out" to highlight an active engagement or participation in events by specifying what subject(s) have been engaging in these actions.

Common error

Avoid using "have been out" when "have gone out" is more appropriate. "Have been out" implies a return, while "have gone out" suggests the subject is still away. For example, use "they have gone out" if they haven't returned yet and "they have been out" if they already returned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been out" functions as a present perfect construction, indicating a completed action or state that has relevance to the present. Ludwig shows various examples, including indicating physical absence or participation in activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been out" is a versatile phrase used to express past actions or states that have relevance to the present. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. It can indicate physical absence, participation, or something being released. When using this phrase, it's important to consider whether "have gone out" might be more appropriate to reflect the intended meaning, to avoid confusion. By understanding its proper use and context, writers can effectively communicate their message with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been absent

Focuses specifically on the state of being away or not present.

have been participating

Emphasizes active involvement in something.

have been released

Highlights the act of something being made available or public.

have been exposed

Implies something previously hidden is now visible or known.

have been unveiled

Suggests a formal or ceremonial revealing of something.

have been discovered

Focuses on the finding or learning of something previously unknown.

have been circulating

Emphasizes the movement or distribution of something.

have been launched

Implies the start or introduction of something new.

have been dispatched

Focuses on the sending of someone or something to a specific location.

have been vacated

Highlights the act of leaving a place or position.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been out" is used to indicate a past action that has concluded. For example, "I "have been out" for a walk" indicates that you went for a walk and returned.

What are some alternatives to saying "have been out"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "have been absent", "have been released", or "have been participating".

Is it correct to say "had been out" instead of "have been out"?

The choice between "had been out" and "have been out" depends on the timeline. "Have been out" connects a past event to the present. "Had been out" is used when discussing two past events, where one occurred before the other.

What's the difference between "have been out" and "have gone out"?

"Have been out" indicates a completed action of being away and returning, while "have gone out" suggests that someone is currently away.