I have been checking

USAGE SUMMARY

'I have been checking' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you have been doing something over a period of time. For example: "I have been checking for any updates on the project's status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Every little piece of the boat I have been checking religiously".

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Gartenberg, the industry analyst, said, "there has been more than one time when I have been checking something late at night and discovered one of the kids was logged on.

The New York Times

I have been checking out the asses of women I would never consider fucking in a normal week.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Also, it was the first time I have been checked since the riots.

The Guardian

From that first battle across the fronts of World War 2 to the most recent gung-ho shoot em up across the solar system, I have been checked in and ready to go.

Vice

I hope so – I've been checking the weather forecast.

Independent

"I've been checking the betting sites religiously.

The New Yorker

I've been checking it by the noon siren".

The New Yorker

My wife and I had been checking on the animals after the rainstorm.

The Guardian

I've been checking in with him along the way: Part 1, "Hungry," opened the week of Super Tuesday.

The New Yorker

"I had been checking the weather for three weeks," he said, looking for a moment when the temperature and the leaves around the lake were perfect.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have been checking" to emphasize the duration and continuity of your action. It indicates an ongoing process, not a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense ("I checked") when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of your checking. The present perfect continuous indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have been checking" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I have been checking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express an ongoing action of monitoring or verifying something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and appropriate for various contexts. While it maintains a neutral tone, its usage is particularly frequent in "News & Media", as highlighted by the examples. To diversify your writing, consider alternatives like "I've been monitoring" or I've been keeping an eye on, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use the present perfect continuous tense when you want to emphasize the duration and continuity of an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I've been monitoring

Slightly more formal, emphasizing continuous observation.

I have been verifying

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or truth of something.

I've been keeping an eye on

More idiomatic and informal, suggesting vigilance.

I've been following up on

Highlights the act of pursuing something to ensure completion or correctness.

I have been scrutinizing

Implies a detailed and critical examination.

I have been overseeing

Suggests responsibility and supervision.

I've been assessing

Focuses on evaluating the situation or progress.

I have been inspecting

Implies a physical or close examination.

I've been reviewing

Highlights the act of going through information or materials.

I've been debugging

Related to software or technical issues; focusing on fixing errors.

FAQs

How can I use "I have been checking" in a sentence?

You can use "I have been checking" to describe an action you started in the past and are still doing now. For example, "I have been checking the weather forecast all morning."

What is an alternative to "I have been checking" that implies more active monitoring?

You could use "I've been monitoring", which suggests a more focused and intentional observation.

What's the difference between "I checked" and "I have been checking"?

"I checked" indicates a completed action in the past, while "I have been checking" implies an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present. The latter emphasizes the duration and continuity of the checking.

When should I use "I've been keeping an eye on" instead of "I have been checking"?

I've been keeping an eye on is more idiomatic and informal and implies a more casual but vigilant observation. Use it when you want to convey a sense of watchfulness without necessarily implying a formal or systematic process.