have been suffering

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "have been suffering" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time in which someone has been enduring a difficult situation or illness. For example, "John's family have been suffering financially since the pandemic began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"People have been suffering long enough.

The New York Times

"A lot of drivers have been suffering".

The New York Times

Printing companies have been suffering this year.

The New York Times

But not all types of trade show have been suffering.

The Economist

We have been suffering for so long under military regimes.

The New York Times

Analyses revealed a large proportion of the adolescents reportedly have been suffering from gynaecological morbidity.

Princeton University

Lately, many of us have been suffering a period of particular disquiet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I have been suffering from Diabetic pains for a long while now.

Harvard University

Rural areas have been suffering from a decline in the provision of services, including retailing.

Journal of Rural Studies

"I have been suffering a lot at the place where I was kept with zombies.

Independent

"For 20 years our stockholders have been suffering through this mess," Mr. Bianco said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been suffering", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject has been suffering from. Be specific about the cause or nature of the suffering to provide clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "have been suffering" without specifying the source or nature of the suffering. Vague statements lack impact and can confuse the reader. Provide context to make the suffering relatable and understandable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been suffering" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action or state that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

19%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been suffering" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. Ludwig AI validates its use for describing ongoing negative experiences. It appears frequently in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science" contexts. When using this phrase, be specific about the cause or nature of the suffering to enhance clarity and impact. Avoid vague statements that lack context. Consider alternatives like "have endured hardship" or "have faced difficulties" to diversify your writing. Ludwig examples show it is often used to elicit sympathy or emphasize the need for change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have experienced ongoing pain

Focuses specifically on the experience of pain, whether physical or emotional.

have long been in distress

Highlights the long-term nature of the suffering and emotional anguish.

have endured hardship

Replaces "suffering" with a more formal term, focusing on the endurance aspect.

have been battling adversity

Suggests an active fight against negative circumstances.

have struggled continuously

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the struggle.

have faced difficulties

Uses a more general term, "difficulties", to describe the negative experiences.

have lived through trying times

Highlights the act of surviving a period of difficulty.

have been going through a tough time

A more informal way of expressing ongoing difficulties.

have known only hardship

Emphasizes the prolonged and pervasive nature of the suffering.

have weathered many storms

Uses a metaphor to describe enduring difficult periods.

FAQs

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

Use "have been suffering" to describe a prolonged period of hardship or difficulty. For example, "The community "has been suffering" from the economic downturn for years".

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

Alternatives include "have endured hardship", "have faced difficulties", or "have struggled continuously", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, but the choice depends on the subject. Use "has been suffering" for singular subjects (e.g., "He "has been suffering"") and "have been suffering" for plural subjects (e.g., "They "have been suffering"").

What's the difference between "have been suffering" and "suffered"?

"Have been suffering" indicates a continuous state of suffering over a period, whereas "suffered" implies a completed action or event. For example, "They "have been suffering" for years" suggests ongoing hardship, while "They suffered losses" describes a past event.