Is vs. Has Been — What's the Difference?

The verb "is" stands as a singular form of the verb "be," signaling a state or condition in the present tense. It conveys a current situation, characteristic, or identity. "Is" is applied to singular subjects, linking the subject to a state of being, condition, or attribute. For instance, in the sentence "She is a doctor," "is" links the subject "She" to the attribute of being a doctor, designating a current status or role.

Contrarily, "has been" incorporates an aspect of time into the scenario, referencing an action that began in the past and carries implications for the present state. "Has been" is utilized in the present perfect tense, expressing a continuous action from the past to the present. When stating "He has been studying," it implies that "He" began studying in the past and continues to study now, highlighting an ongoing action.

"Is," with its focus on the present, does not provide information about any preceding actions or states. It strictly relates to the current moment, facilitating expressions about identities, states, or locations. For instance, “The cat is on the roof” provides current location information about the cat, without detailing any historical context or previous locations.

"Has been," offering a temporal bridge, conveys a sustained activity or condition spanning from past to present. It imparts that an action was initiated in the past and has either continued into the present or has an impact on the current situation. So, saying “She has been to Paris” implies a past action (visiting Paris) that is relevant to the present context.

While "is" typically necessitates a complement to describe or identify the subject, "has been" can stand alone or be followed by a present participle, introducing an element of ongoing action. "Is" illustrates an immediate state: “The window is open.” Conversely, “The shop has been open” suggests the shop opened at some point in the past and remains open, intertwining past actions with the present state.