I've been starting

USAGE SUMMARY

'I've been starting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize that something has already begun and is still in progress. For example: "I've been starting to pay more attention to my finances and I'm already seeing positive changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I've been starting tomorrow for 30 years now.

The Guardian - Books

"Didn't think so…" is how I've been starting most of my conversations lately.

Independent

"I've been starting since my rookie year here, for 10 years," McGinest said.

The New York Times - Sports

I've been starting to suspect that some people are naturally attracted to the possibilian outlook, while others are more attracted to certainty and are made uncomfortable by its absence.

The New Yorker

Listen in and the lyrics soundtrack a mid-youth crisis ("I've been starting over for a long time," Cronin croons as the album opens), but not so as to dent the overall impression of an ozone high.

The Guardian - Music

Then I saw Kwaidan, and since then I've been starting to buy up all of Eureka's back catalogue of Japanese stuff, so my wife [Amy Jump, the co-writer of Kill List] and I are making our way through that at the moment.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I had been starting stories for years, but never got past the middle.

The New York Times

What kind of life would I have been starting on that foot?

The New York Times

Beth Johnson, who runs Mumbles Mummy, selling online crochet patterns, says: "Recently I have been starting to write my patterns out so people can download them.

The Guardian

I shut down a business I had been starting.

TechCrunch

As a senior, I have been starting to wonder this.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I've been starting" to describe actions that began in the past and are still ongoing. This is particularly useful when emphasizing the duration or continuous nature of the initiation phase.

Common error

Avoid using "I started" when you mean to convey that the action is still in progress. "I started" implies a completed action, while "I've been starting" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the initiation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've been starting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that began in the past and is still in progress, emphasizing the duration of the initial phase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and examples show it in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I've been starting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase effectively communicates an action initiated in the past that remains ongoing. It is appropriate for neutral contexts, prominently appearing in news and media, scientific, and business-related sources. Related phrases include "I have started" and "I began starting", though these may subtly alter the emphasis on the continuous nature of the action. Remember to use "I've been starting" to emphasize the duration and continuation of the initiation phase and avoid confusing it with the simple past tense "I started".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've already started

Adds the adverb "already" to emphasize that the action of starting has happened before now.

I have started

Changes the continuous aspect to a perfect aspect, indicating a completed action with present relevance.

I began starting

Emphasizes the inception of the starting process, adding a layer of redundancy for emphasis.

I've made a start on

Indicates that the person has initiated a task or activity, often implying that it is not yet completed.

I've commenced starting

Replaces "been" with "commenced", a more formal synonym, to convey the same meaning.

I've initiated starting

Substitutes "initiated" for "started", implying a more deliberate or formal beginning.

I'm in the process of starting

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the starting action, emphasizing the process rather than the initiation itself.

I am starting

Uses the present continuous tense to describe an action happening now, simplifying the original's perfect continuous tense.

I've gotten around to starting

Indicates that the speaker finally managed to begin something, implying a delay or previous reluctance.

I was starting

Uses the past continuous tense to describe an action happening in the past, shifting the temporal focus.

FAQs

How can I use "I've been starting" in a sentence?

Use "I've been starting" to describe something you began doing in the past and are continuing to do now. For example, "I've been starting to learn Spanish lately" indicates an ongoing process.

What's the difference between "I've been starting" and "I started"?

"I started" implies a completed action in the past, while "I've been starting" emphasizes an action that began in the past and is still ongoing. Use "I've been starting" to highlight the continuous nature of the action.

What are some alternatives to "I've been starting"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I have started", "I began starting", or "I'm in the process of starting".

Is "I've been starting to start" grammatically correct?

While grammatically understandable, "I've been starting to start" can sound redundant. Consider rewording for clarity, such as "I've already started" or "I'm beginning to begin" to avoid repetition.