has been breeding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been breeding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state that started in the past and continues into the present, often in contexts related to animals, plants, or ideas. Example: "The local wildlife has been breeding successfully in the protected area, leading to an increase in population."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Alexander, who lives in Maryland, has been breeding weimaraners for 35 years.

The New Yorker

Bruce Reisch has been breeding new grape varieties and studying grapevine genetics at Cornell since joining the faculty at Geneva in 1980.

Cornell University

Cousins, USDA Agricultural Research Service Geneticist and Rootstock Breeder, has been breeding rootstocks resistant to root-knot nematodes since joining the Grape Genetics Research Unit in 1999.

Cornell University

"Do they have name tags on their collars?" Mr. Montminy, who has been breeding dogs for 25 years, laughed and said: "We know all the dogs.

The New York Times - Travel

The Saving Nemo fund has been breeding clownfish in nurseries since 2005 in an effort to ensure wild populations do not suffer.

The Guardian - Film

Paul Kelly has been breeding turkeys for nearly half a century – so what would he make of the nut roasts and other festive veggie options?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Investigators found bacteria had been breeding in the shower head.

The Guardian

The cane toads have been breeding at an alarming rate.

The Guardian - Opinion

The cold houses held the thousands of rhododendron plants he had been breeding and acquiring since 1966.

The New York Times - Style

"I would be much more bothered if I heard that these had been breeding pigs," he said.

The New York Times

The investigation did conclude that Mr. Schneider and Mr. Bretches had been breeding attack dogs with the help of outside parties.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been breeding", ensure the subject is capable of breeding or reproduction. For example, use it for animals, plants, or even abstract concepts that can 'breed' or generate something.

Common error

Avoid using "has been breeding" to describe inanimate objects or situations that do not involve a form of reproduction or generation. For example, it would be incorrect to say "The old car has been breeding rust."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been breeding" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the present. This is supported by Ludwig and the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been breeding" is a grammatically sound present perfect continuous verb phrase indicating ongoing reproduction or cultivation from the past to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, with examples spanning diverse sources, including news outlets, academic papers, and encyclopedias. While it maintains a neutral register, its contexts lean more toward news and academic discussions. When employing this phrase, ensure the subject is capable of breeding and avoid using it with inanimate objects. Consider alternatives like "has been reproducing", "has been cultivating", or "has been raising" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been reproducing

Focuses specifically on the act of biological reproduction rather than selective breeding.

has been cultivating

Implies a more deliberate and managed process of growth or development.

has been raising

Suggests nurturing and caring for offspring or young plants.

has been rearing

Similar to raising, but can also imply preparing something for a specific purpose.

has been propagating

Specifically refers to the multiplication of plants.

has been multiplying

Emphasizes a rapid increase in number or quantity.

has been generating

Highlights the creation or production of something new.

has been developing

Suggests a gradual process of growth or evolution.

has been fostering

Implies encouraging the growth or development of something.

has been nurturing

Focuses on providing care and support for growth or development.

FAQs

What does "has been breeding" mean?

The phrase "has been breeding" indicates that a subject (typically an animal or plant) has been reproducing over a period of time. It implies a continuous action from the past to the present.

What can I say instead of "has been breeding"?

You can use alternatives like "has been reproducing", "has been cultivating", or "has been raising" depending on the context.

How is "has been breeding" different from "is breeding"?

"Has been breeding" implies a continuous action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "is breeding" indicates an action happening at the moment of speaking. For example, "The farmer has been breeding sheep for ten years" versus "The sheep is breeding now".

Is it correct to say a concept "has been breeding"?

Yes, it can be correct in a metaphorical sense. For example, one might say "That environment "has been fostering" innovation" to imply that the environment is generating or developing new ideas continuously.