has been affecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been affecting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has had an influence on a situation. For example, "The lack of rainfall this year has been affecting crop yields."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Absenteeism has been affecting Kianya's performance.

The New York Times

It has been affecting my work for a long time, I suspect.

The Guardian

The changing population has been affecting the marketplace for many years -- and in many specific ways.

The New York Times

This is the same strain that has been affecting poultry in Europe.

The Guardian

The loss of hours has been affecting men in particular — and Hispanic men more so.

The New York Times

Land subsidence from deep well pumping has been affecting Bangkok for the past 35 years.

Engineering Geology

Inflation has been affecting people's salaries and savings, while import and export restrictions have impacted negatively on the province's economy.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Even sex has been affected.

The New York Times

"Everyone has been affected.

The New York Times

Everybody else has been affected, too.

The New Yorker

Everybody has been affected, mentally or physically.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been affecting", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is causing the impact, and the object specifies what is being influenced. For example: "The economic downturn has been affecting small businesses."

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where it's unclear what is causing the effect. Always specify the cause to prevent misinterpretation. For example, instead of "Things have been affecting," clarify with "Recent policy changes have been affecting our operations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been affecting" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, influencing something else. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been affecting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes an ongoing influence or impact. Ludwig confirms the phrase's correctness, and the examples provided highlight its usage across various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and formal communications. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying both the cause and the effect to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "has been influencing" or "has been impacting" to fine-tune the nuance of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been influencing

Indicates a more subtle or indirect impact compared to "affecting".

has been impacting

Implies a stronger and more direct effect than "affecting".

has been impacting on

Alternative phrasing using the preposition 'on' to specify what is being impacted.

has had an effect on

A more descriptive alternative that emphasizes the consequence.

has been altering

Similar to 'changing', but suggests a more significant or fundamental shift.

has contributed to

Highlights causality and contribution towards a particular result.

has been changing

Focuses on the resulting alteration rather than the cause.

has been playing a role in

Indicates involvement or contribution to a particular outcome.

has been weighing on

Suggests a negative impact, implying a burden or pressure.

has been taking its toll on

Highlights the damaging or detrimental consequences over time.

FAQs

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

Use "has been affecting" to describe something that has had a continuous influence on something else. For instance, "The ongoing drought "has been affecting" local agriculture."

What are some alternatives to "has been affecting"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "has been influencing", "has been impacting", or "has been changing".

Is it correct to say "has been affect" instead of "has been affecting"?

No, "has been affect" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""has been affecting"", which uses the present participle of the verb "affect".

What's the difference between "has been affecting" and "has been affected"?

"Has been affecting" indicates that something is actively influencing something else, while "has been affected" indicates that something has been influenced. For example, "The new policy has been affecting employee morale" versus "Employee morale has been affected by the new policy".