English grammar is full of subtleties that can confuse learners, especially regarding verb tenses. Two commonly mixed-up terms are “has been” and “was”. Has Been vs Was with examples and structure details has given here. Though both refer to the past, they are used in different contexts and convey different meanings.
This guide breaks down the key differences between “has been” and “was”, including definitions, usage, examples, and a handy comparison chart. Whether you’re polishing your grammar for writing, speaking, or exams, this resource will help clarify the distinction.
Definition of “Has Been”
“Has been” is the present perfect continuous tense of the verb to be. It is used to talk about actions or states that started in the past and continue into the present or have recent relevance.
- Structure: Subject + has/have + been + (verb-ing) or adjective/noun
- Tense: Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous
Definition of “Was”
“Was” is the simple past tense of the verb to be. It refers to something that happened and was completed in the past.
- Structure: Subject + was + (verb-ing / adjective/noun)
- Tense: Simple Past
Differences Between “Has Been” and “Was” Comparison Table
| Feature | Has Been | Was |
|---|---|---|
| Tense | Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous | Simple Past |
| Time Reference | Action that began in the past and may continue | Action completed in the past |
| Auxiliary Verb | Uses “has” or “have” | No auxiliary verb (standalone past form) |
| Usage | Ongoing/recent relevance | Past events or states that are finished |
| Example (State) | She has been tired all day. | She was tired yesterday. |
| Example (Action) | He has been working here since 2020. | He was working here in 2020. |
Use of “Has Been”
- To describe actions that started in the past and continue into the present:
- She has been living in Paris since 2010.
- To indicate a recent situation or result:
- The project has been completed.
- Used with third person singular subjects (He/She/It):
- He has been very helpful.
Use of “Was”
- To describe completed actions in the past:
- She was at the party last night.
- To describe past states or conditions:
- He was happy with his results.
- Used with first and third person singular subjects (I/He/She/It):
- I was late for the meeting.
Examples of “Has Been”
- The teacher has been patient with the students.
- It has been raining since morning.
- He has been the manager of this branch for five years.
Examples of “Was”
- She was a brilliant student.
- I was reading a book when the power went out.
- He was the head of the department last year.
Read also more related topics: Difference Between Has Been And Have Been
MCQ Quiz on Has Been vs Was
1. She ____ very tired after the long trip.
A) has been
B) was
C) have been
D) had being
✅ Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: The sentence refers to a completed state in the past, so “was” is appropriate.
2. John ____ has been working at the company since 2015.
A) was
B) has been
C) had been
D) is being
✅ Correct Answer: B) has been
Explanation: Ongoing action from past to present requires present perfect continuous (“has been working”).
3. It ____ raining all morning, and it still is.
A) has been
B) was
C) had been
D) will be
✅ Correct Answer: A) has been
Explanation: Action started in the past and continues now — use “has been”.
4. When I called her yesterday, she ____ at the gym.
A) has been
B) have been
C) was
D) is being
✅ Correct Answer: C) was
Explanation: A specific past moment needs simple past tense — “was”.
5. He ____ the manager of the store for over ten years.
A) was
B) is
C) has been
D) have been
✅ Correct Answer: C) has been
Explanation: This suggests he still holds the position, so use “has been”.
6. They ____ really helpful during the project last year.
A) was
B) were
C) has been
D) have been
✅ Correct Answer: B) were
Explanation: Refers to a finished action in the past (last year) — use “were”, the plural past form of “was”.
7. My phone ____ acting strange lately.
A) has been
B) was
C) is
D) have been
✅ Correct Answer: A) has been
Explanation: “Lately” implies a recent and possibly ongoing condition — “has been”.
8. She ____ my teacher back in 2010.
A) has been
B) was
C) is
D) has being
✅ Correct Answer: B) was
Explanation: “Back in 2010” refers to the past — use “was”.
9. I ____ feeling sick since morning.
A) was
B) had been
C) has been
D) have been
✅ Correct Answer: D) have been
Explanation: First person + ongoing action = “have been feeling”.
10. The dog ____ barking since we arrived.
A) was
B) has been
C) is
D) had
✅ Correct Answer: B) has been
Explanation: Ongoing action from past to now = present perfect continuous = “has been barking”.
FAQs: Has Been vs Was
Can “has been” and “was” be used interchangeably?
No. “Has been” implies an ongoing or recent action/state, while “was” refers to a finished past action.
When should I use “has been” instead of “was”?
Use “has been” when the action/state is still relevant or continuing in the present.
Is “has been” always used with another verb?
Often, yes. Especially in present perfect continuous form (e.g., has been working). But it can stand alone in passive constructions (e.g., The book has been read).
Can I use “was” with “since” or “for”?
Generally, no. Use “has been” with “since” or “for” to describe ongoing states (e.g., He has been here since Monday).
Conclusion
Mastering the difference between “has been” and “was” is key to speaking and writing English accurately. While both relate to the past, “has been” connects the past tense with the present, and “was” firmly anchors the event in the past.
By understanding the context and timeline of your sentence, you can confidently choose the correct form.
Keep practicing with different examples, and this grammar rule will soon become second nature.