English with Modupe

BEEN vs. BEING: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

🛑BEEN
Past participle of "be"
Always used with has/have/had.
Often shows completed actions or experiences.

EXAMPLES:

I have been to Lagos. (experience)

She has been sick since Monday. (state)

They had been waiting for hours before he arrived. (completed action)

🛑BEING

Present participle of "be"
Often used after verbs like is, am, are, was, were.
Refers to something ongoing (continuous action) or describes behavior/condition.

EXAMPLES

You are being rude. (temporary behavior)

He is being interviewed right now. (ongoing action)

The house is being painted. (passive continuous action)

QUICK DIFFERENCE

Been = past experience/state (with have/has/had)

Being = ongoing state/action/behavior (with is/am/are/was/were)

👉 Think of it like this:
Been = finished / already happened.
Being = happening now/ describing behaviour.

💡 Your turn!
Drop one correct sentence with BEEN or BEING in the comments. Let’s see who gets it right! ✍️🔥

“At this junction, we must make a decision.” ❌
Not quite right!

The correct phrase is: At this juncture ✔️

👉 Junction = where two or more roads meet. 🚦
👉 Juncture = a specific point in time, especially when an important decision must be made. ⏳

✅ Example: At this juncture, we need to focus on the most important goals.

So remember: roads have junctions, but life decisions happen at junctures. 😉

💬 Your turn: Drop a sentence with “at this juncture” in the comment section!

“Knee down there!” ❌
Sounds familiar? Many people say this, but it’s not correct English.

✔️ The right phrase is: Kneel down

👉 Kneel means “to rest on your knees.”
👉 Knee is a noun (the joint in your leg), not the action itself.

✅ Example sentences:

Simple past: The child knelt before the teacher to apologize.

Present continuous: She is kneeling beside her bed to pray.

So remember: You kneel down, you don’t knee down. 😅

💬 Make a sentence with “knelt” or “kneeling” in the comments.

Torchlight or Flashlight? Na NEPA go decide! 😅🔦

“In the maintime, let’s wait for him.” ❌
Did you spot the error?

The correct phrase is:
✔️ In the meantime

👉 Meantime means “the period between now and a future event.”
Example: Your food will soon be ready. In the meantime, have some water.

⚠️ “In the MAINTIME” is totally ungrammatical.

Other phrases you could use include:

🔹for now

🔹for the moment

🔹in the intervening time

🔹until then

💬 Make a sentence with IN THE MEANTIME in the comment section. Let’s see how you use it!

It’s not that you’re naturally shy or timid.
Your real challenge is expressing your thoughts in English. That single barrier has silenced your brilliance and kept your voice in the background.

Yet, you follow others to chant: “Who English help?”
Have you forgotten? This is Nigeria, a land with more than 500 languages.
In short, English is your passport to global opportunities. The language that keeps you connected across borders.
Without it, your message or business may never cross your tribe, your state, or your nation.

Take it or leave it, speaking good English is a weapon.
A weapon of confidence.
A weapon of opportunity.
A weapon of influence.

And you, yes you,
If you choose not to sharpen that weapon, that’s your decision. But don’t mock those who are arming themselves with it.

Because in this life, English may not guarantee success, but the lack of it will definitely close some doors in your face. 🚪

English may not pay bride price… but it will introduce you properly to your in-laws. 💍😂
English may not fuel your car… but it can get you the job that buys the fuel. 🚗⛽🤣

So, my dear, in all thy getting, get good English too. E get why! 😉

English Exercise

English Exercise