has been altering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been altering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing change or modification that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The climate has been altering significantly over the past few decades, leading to various environmental challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Since the United States Open, Ishikawa has been altering his swing on the fly.

The New York Times

It is perilous to generalise about London's suburbs, which are as richly varied as the mighty metropolis itself, but demographic change has been altering them across the board.

The Guardian

Hoping to get a head start, Mary Spencer of Canada, a two-time world champion at 66 kilograms (about 146 pounds), has been altering her weight for almost a year.

The New York Times - Sports

A vast wave of new immigrants -- from Latin America, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Eastern Europe -- has been altering the face of parishes from coast to coast, a trend that began three decades ago.

The New York Times

In his attempt to catch up in the polls to Hollande, he has been altering his narrative and making new promises.

Huffington Post

It has been altering its personality to accommodate its "friends" for so long that it no longer recognizes or trusts its own instincts.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

(It has been altered significantly since then).

The New York Times

The basic design has been altered.

The Economist

That has been altered to Fox News.

The New York Times

Already, that plan has been altered.

The New York Times

Even the cover line has been altered.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been altering", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being changed and the nature of the change. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been altering" when a completed action is intended. If the change is finished, use "has altered" instead. For example, use "The recipe has altered" instead of "The recipe has been altering" if the recipe is now in its final, changed state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been altering" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, indicating a process of change or modification. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been altering" is a grammatically sound present perfect continuous verb construction, used to describe ongoing processes of change. Ludwig AI identifies it as suitable for neutral to professional contexts, frequently appearing in news and scientific media to describe dynamic transformations. While less common than simpler alternatives like "has been changing", "has been altering" effectively emphasizes the continuous nature of modification. Remember to use it when the change is still in progress, distinguishing it from "has altered", which indicates a completed action. Ensure clarity by specifying what is being changed, and avoid overuse for stylistic reasons.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been modifying

Replaces "altering" with a synonym that suggests making changes to something, often to improve it or adapt it to new circumstances.

has been changing

Uses a more general term for "altering", indicating a shift or transformation over time.

has been adjusting

Suggests making small changes or corrections to something over a period.

has been transforming

Indicates a significant and dramatic change over time.

has been evolving

Emphasizes a gradual development and change over time, often implying improvement.

has undergone modification

Shifts the focus to the thing being changed, rather than the act of changing itself.

has been adapting

Highlights the process of becoming suitable for a new condition or environment.

has been revising

Implies a process of reviewing and making corrections or improvements.

has been reshaping

Suggests a change in form or structure over time.

has experienced change

Focuses on the fact that something has been affected by change, rather than the process of changing itself.

FAQs

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

Use "has been altering" to describe a continuous or ongoing process of change. For example: "The company's strategy "has been altering" in response to market trends".

What are some alternatives to "has been altering"?

Alternatives include "has been modifying", "has been changing", or "has been adjusting depending on the specific nuance you want to convey".

When should I use "has been altering" vs. "has altered"?

"Has been altering" implies an ongoing process, while "has altered" suggests a completed change. Use "has been altering" when the change is still in progress and "has altered" when the change is finished.

Is "has been altering" formal or informal?

"Has been altering" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts. The specific level of formality depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.