been working hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been working hard" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe ongoing effort or dedication to a task or project, often in the context of discussing past actions that have relevance to the present. Example: "I have been working hard on this project for weeks, and I believe it will pay off soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Communication

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She'd been working hard.

The New Yorker

I've been working hard, very hard".

The New York Times

"I've just been working hard".

The New York Times

Frost has been working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

And he's been working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

I've been working hard with K-Long.

The New York Times - Sports

"Shaun's been working hard," Gruden said.

The New York Times - Sports

He's been working hard to get back.

The Guardian - Sport

Henry has certainly been working hard.

The Guardian

The scientific community has been working hard to change that.

The New York Times

"But I've been working hard and I learned a lot".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "been working hard" with specific areas of improvement or focus to add detail and context to the general statement of effort.

Common error

Avoid simply stating you've "been working hard" without providing specific examples or outcomes. Detail what you've been doing to demonstrate your effort and its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been working hard" functions as a verb phrase indicating ongoing effort and dedication towards a specific task or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

25%

General Communication

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "been working hard" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe sustained effort over time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile, appearing frequently in news, sports, and general communication. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, more formal settings may require synonyms like "exerting considerable effort". Remember to provide context and specifics when using this phrase to showcase the tangible results of your dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting in the effort

Emphasizes the act of applying effort consistently.

dedicating oneself

Highlights commitment and self-application to a task.

exerting considerable effort

Stresses the amount of effort being applied.

laboring diligently

Focuses on consistent and careful work.

striving tirelessly

Emphasizes persistent effort without fatigue.

applying oneself rigorously

Highlights strict and disciplined effort.

grinding away

Implies persistent, often tedious, effort.

toiling assiduously

Focuses on careful and persistent labor.

making a concerted effort

Highlights a planned and determined effort.

plugging away

Suggests steady and persistent effort despite difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "been working hard" in a sentence?

You can use "been working hard" to describe ongoing effort, as in "I've "been working hard" to improve my skills". It connects past efforts to present abilities or future goals.

What's a more formal way to say "been working hard"?

In a more formal context, consider using phrases like "exerting considerable effort" or "dedicating oneself" instead of ""been working hard"".

What can I say instead of "I've been working hard" to sound more specific?

Instead of a generic "I've "been working hard"", try "I've been focusing on improving my time management skills", which is more descriptive.

Is it better to say "I worked hard" or "I've been working hard"?

"I worked hard" refers to a specific instance of effort, while "I've "been working hard"" implies a sustained effort over a period. The best choice depends on the context.