read
verb (used with object)
to look at carefully so as to understand the meaning of (something written, printed, etc.).
have been reading
-
present perfect progressiveof read.present perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that began in the past, has continued continuously, and is still in progress.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Yardeni: They should have been reading my research.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
I like the brunch place where a waiter knows I want blackberry jam with my Texas toast, and I know what his nieces have been reading lately.
From Salon ● Aug. 20, 2026
In the case of two rival Japanese writers, people have been reading their competing works for 1,100 years.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2024
Relatives have been reading aloud names of the nearly 3,000 people who were killed in the al-Qaeda attacks.
From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2023
I wondered about them when I should have been reading.
From "Educated" by Tara Westover
