There are eight parts of speech in English grammar, and each one plays a crucial role in forming sentences. One of the most commonly used words in the English language is “been,” and many people wonder what part of speech it falls under. In this article, we’ll explore the various uses and meanings of “been” and determine once and for all what part of speech it is.
Definition of Been
“Been” is the past participle of the verb “be,” which is one of the most irregular verbs in the English language. “Be” is used to indicate existence or a state of being, and it is conjugated differently depending on the tense and the subject of the sentence. When “be” is used in its past participle form, it becomes “been,” which can be used as a verb, adjective, or adverb depending on the context.
Been as a Verb
As a verb, “been” is used to show that an action has already occurred. For example:
- She has been studying for her exams all week.
- I have been to Paris before.
- They have been married for over 50 years.
In each of these sentences, “been” is used as the past participle of “be” and functions as the main verb in the past perfect tense of the sentence.
Been as an Adjective
“Been” can also be used as an adjective, usually in verb phrases with “have” or “has.” As an adjective, “been” describes a state of being that has existed from a previous time up until the present. For example:
- I have been busy all morning.
- We have been friends since childhood.
In these examples, “been” describes a continuous state that began in the past and extends up until the present.
Been as an Adverb
Finally, “been” can also function as an adverb, typically in verb phrases with “have” or “has.” As an adverb, “been” indicates that something has been completed or achieved. For example:
- She has been waiting for over an hour.
- They have been working on this project for months.
In these examples, “been” indicates that the action has been going on for a period of time but has been completed or achieved at the time of speaking.
Commonly Confused Words
One of the reasons why many people are confused about the part of speech of “been” is because it is often confused with other words that sound similar. These commonly confused words include:
- Bean: a type of plant that produces pods containing edible seeds
- Bin: a container for holding waste or storage
- Bend: to curve or change direction
- Begin: to start or commence
It is important to pay close attention to the spelling and context of the word in order to determine whether it is “been” or a similar-sounding word.
Examples of Using Been in Sentences
As a Verb
Example 1: I have been waiting for the train for 20 minutes.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is used as the past participle of “be” in the present perfect tense. The action of waiting began in the past, continues up until the present, and may continue into the future.
Example 2: They have been traveling for three days.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is also used as the past participle of “be” in the present perfect tense. The action of traveling began in the past, continues up until the present, and may continue into the future.
As an Adjective
Example 1: I have been busy all day.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is used as an adjective that describes a state of being that has existed from a previous time up until the present.
Example 2: We have been friends for years.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is also used as an adjective to describe a continuous state that began in the past and extends up until the present.
As an Adverb
Example 1: She has been studying for the test all night.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is used as an adverb that indicates the completion of an action that has been going on for a period of time.
Example 2: They have been working on the project for weeks.
Explanation: In this sentence, “been” is also used as an adverb to indicate the completion of an action that has been going on for a period of time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “been” is the past participle of the verb “be” and can be used as a verb, adjective, or adverb depending on its context in a sentence. It is important to pay close attention to spelling and context when using “been” as it is often confused with other similar-sounding words.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the present participle of “be”? The present participle of “be” is “being.”
- Is “been” a noun? No, “been” is not a noun, but it can function as a verb or adjective depending on its context.
- Can “been” be used in the present tense? No, “been” is the past participle of “be” and cannot be used in the present tense.
- What is the difference between “been” and “being”? “Been” is the past participle of “be” and indicates a completed action that has already occurred. “Being” is the present participle of “be” and indicates an action that is currently happening.
References
“been.” The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009.
“be verb.” Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries. 2021.
“Parts of speech.” EnglishClub. Accessed October 25, 2021.