have really been

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have really been" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the truth of something. For example, "I have really been struggling with this test all week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I would have really been there.

Independent

They have really been outstanding.

The Guardian - Sport

These children have really been lifted up.

The Guardian

They have really been under siege.

The New York Times

They must have really been laughing.

The New York Times - Sports

"They have really been out there working".

The New York Times

And middle-class musicians have really been suffering.

Princeton University

"The last 5 to 10 years have really been exciting".

The New York Times - Science

"I think now the brakes have really been put on".

The New York Times

"I have really been married to my painting".

The New York Times

"The changes have really been insignificant," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have really been" to reinforce the truth or significance of a statement, adding emphasis to the verb or adjective that follows. For instance, "They have really been dedicated to this project" underscores their commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "have really been" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can diminish the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms or alternative sentence structures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have really been" functions as an intensifier within the present perfect construction. It emphasizes the veracity or degree of the state or action described. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and adds emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have really been" serves as a versatile intensifier within the present perfect tense, adding emphasis to the truth or degree of a state or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "have actually been" or "have genuinely been" can provide variety while conveying similar emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have genuinely been

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", indicating authenticity.

have actually been

Substitutes "really" with "actually", focusing on factual accuracy.

have truly been

Uses "truly" instead of "really" to convey sincerity.

have honestly been

Emphasizes the sincerity of the statement using "honestly".

have definitely been

Replaces "really" with "definitely", indicating certainty.

have certainly been

Uses "certainly" instead of "really" to reinforce assurance.

have indeed been

Substitutes "really" with "indeed", adding a formal tone.

have very much been

Replaces "really" with "very much", increasing intensity.

have always been

Indicates a consistent state over time.

have consistently been

Highlights the continuous nature of the state.

FAQs

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

Use "have really been" to emphasize the truth or intensity of an action or state. For example, "We "have really been impressed" with your work" indicates a strong level of satisfaction.

What are some alternatives to "have really been"?

You can use alternatives such as "have actually been", "have truly been", or "have genuinely been" to convey a similar emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "have really been"?

Yes, "have really been" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of the present perfect tense with an adverb ("really") modifying the intensity of the verb.

What's the difference between "have really been" and "have been"?

"Have been" indicates a state or action that has occurred, while "have really been" adds emphasis to the truth or intensity of that state or action. The addition of "really" amplifies the statement.