has been accumulating

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been accumulating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe something that has been steadily increasing over time. For example, "Over the past few months, her savings have been accumulating thanks to the extra work she has been doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Describes dirt that has been accumulating in the station since the Eisenhower administration.

The New Yorker

Over eight studio albums, Cass McCombs has been accumulating admirers and plaudits.

The Guardian - Music

Mrs. Clinton also hopes for a larger share of superdelegates than she has been accumulating.

The New York Times

The collection, much of it previously in storage, has been accumulating since Dana's reign.

The New York Times - Arts

My interest in Seidel has been accumulating since last year's New York Times profile.

The New Yorker

"It has been accumulating, little by little, until it reaches Bangkok.

The New York Times

Gannon Frain, 28, a frequent visitor to Western parks, has been accumulating photos documenting the destruction.

The New York Times

She has been accumulating IOUs for decades from everybody from women's groups to trade unions.

The Economist

In India, deities can own property, and this temple, dedicated to Vishnu, has been accumulating gold for centuries.

The New Yorker

Similarly, Atonement has been accumulating impressive global box-office figures since its release in the UK last September.

The Guardian - Film

Holland has been accumulating some sixty thousand dollars a year in tournament money, in the past few years.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been accumulating" to describe a gradual increase or buildup of something over a period, especially when emphasizing the continuous nature of the process. For example, "The evidence has been accumulating for years."

Common error

Avoid using "has been accumulating" with singular nouns that cannot logically increase over time. Instead of "The problem has been accumulating", consider rephrasing to "The problem has been worsening" or "The problem has been growing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been accumulating" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect progressive tense. It indicates a continuous action that started in the past and is still ongoing, or has relevance to the present. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been accumulating" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect progressive tense, used to describe a gradual increase or buildup over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Science sources, demonstrating its applicability across diverse contexts. When writing, remember that "has been accumulating" emphasizes an ongoing process and is best paired with plural nouns or abstract concepts that can logically increase over time. Consider alternatives such as "has steadily increased" or "has gradually built up" to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has steadily increased

Focuses on the consistent nature of the increase.

has gradually built up

Emphasizes the incremental construction or development.

has progressively grown

Highlights the ongoing advancement or expansion.

has consistently gathered

Implies a regular and persistent collection.

has continually amassed

Suggests a large quantity being collected over time.

has increasingly accrued

Highlights the formal or financial nature of the accumulation.

has persistently collected

Emphasizes the determined and unwavering aspect of gathering.

has unceasingly piled up

Suggests a relentless and overwhelming accumulation.

has relentlessly mounted

Highlights an accumulation that is forceful and unstoppable.

has ceaselessly expanded

Focuses on the continuous broadening or enlargement.

FAQs

How can I use "has been accumulating" in a sentence?

You can use "has been accumulating" to describe a gradual increase or build-up of something over time. For example, "Debt "has been accumulating" due to unpaid bills".

What are some alternatives to "has been accumulating"?

Alternatives to "has been accumulating" include "has steadily increased", "has gradually built up", or "has progressively grown" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the error has been accumulating"?

While grammatically correct, it's better to say "errors "have been accumulating"" or "the error "has been increasing"". The original sentence might sound awkward.

What's the difference between "has been accumulating" and "has accumulated"?

"Has been accumulating" emphasizes the ongoing process, while "has accumulated" simply states that something has reached a certain amount. For example, "Snow "has been accumulating" all day" (ongoing) vs "Snow "has accumulated" to a depth of 6 inches" (completed action).