has been augmenting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been augmenting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing increase or enhancement that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The company's profits have been augmenting steadily over the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For several years, MasterCard has been augmenting the campaign's brand-burnishing efforts with tactical advertising that offers cardholders what are deemed "priceless" experiences through sweepstakes and other promotions.

The New York Times

Since 1987, when Marika Wachtmeister, the founder, invited 25 artists to exhibit at this sprawling countryside property, Wanas has been augmenting its collection of outdoor artworks that are conceived and created by artists on site, often with the help of local craftsmen.

The New York Times - Travel

The feature takes advantage of Google's increasingly more powerful language translation platform, which the company has been augmenting using A.I. technologies.

TechCrunch

And now major sellers like StubHub, which has been augmenting its consumer market with team partnerships for six years running, figures to have more trouble than ever building its stable of clients beyond Major League Baseball, which it inked a central deal with a few years ago.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

And throughout the school, public money has been augmented with a heartening amount of corporate support.

The New York Times

Classical histology has been augmented by a variety of more discriminating techniques.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The chorus, on excellent form, has been augmented: there are bustling extras, dancers, even a few cute children.

The Guardian - Music

That lineup has been augmented at the Blue Note by the guitarist Russell Malone, who seems to have had a bracing effect on the music.

The New York Times - Arts

The high-powered offense led by Donovan McNabb and Terrell Owens has been augmented by a defense that has surrendered a league-best 14.9 points a game.

The New York Times

And what if the patient's clinical course has been augmented or brought to fruition by the decades of pharmacotherapy, dialysis and other procedures she has endured?

The New York Times

The local insurgency was born of this denial, and has been augmented and transformed by an infusion of support from elsewhere in the Sunni world.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been augmenting" when you want to emphasize that something is not only growing but also being enhanced or improved over time. It suggests a deliberate and ongoing effort to make something better.

Common error

Avoid using "has been augmenting" when a simpler term like "increasing" or "growing" would suffice. "Has been augmenting" is more appropriate when there's a clear element of improvement or enhancement, not just simple numerical growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been augmenting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action that started in the past and extends to the present. It implies that something is not only growing but is also being enhanced or improved, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been augmenting" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a continuous action of growth and enhancement, with support from Ludwig. While suitable for a range of contexts, it is most commonly found in news, science, and encyclopedic writing. It is important to note that while the phrase is correct, simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in some cases.

Ludwig confirms that the phrase is suitable for describing continuous enhancement and that it implies something is not only growing, but is also being improved or supplemented over time. As such, be aware of the subtle differences between alternatives that express a simple growth process such as "increasing" and the deliberate action of improving and growing expressed by "augmenting".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been increasing

This alternative focuses on the quantitative growth of something.

has been enhancing

This alternative highlights the improvement of quality or value.

has been growing

Similar to increasing, but can also imply a more organic or natural process.

has been supplementing

This alternative emphasizes adding something extra to improve or complete something else.

has been building upon

This implies using an existing foundation to further develop something.

has been expanding

This suggests a broadening or widening in scope or size.

has been enriching

Focuses on adding value or quality to something.

has been developing

This implies a gradual unfolding or growth.

has been amplifying

This suggests making something louder or more intense.

has been boosting

This alternative indicates a sharp or sudden increase.

FAQs

What does "has been augmenting" mean?

The phrase "has been augmenting" means that something has been increasing or enhancing over a period of time. It suggests that something is not only growing but also being improved or supplemented.

What are some alternatives to "has been augmenting"?

You can use alternatives like "has been increasing", "has been enhancing", or "has been supplementing" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "has been augmenting" in a sentence?

Use "has been augmenting" to describe a process where something is growing and also being improved or added to. For example: "The company's product line has been augmenting with new features over the past year."

Is "has been augmenting" formal or informal language?

"Has been augmenting" is generally considered neutral to formal language. While it can be used in news and media, consider other words depending on the specific needs of your text. Alternatives like "has been increasing" may be a good choice in some instances.