has been catching

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been catching" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is the present perfect continuous form of the verb "catch," indicating that the action of catching has been ongoing or repeated in the past and is still continuing. Example: "He has been catching butterflies in the garden all afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But P&G has been catching up.

The Economist

More recently, Australia has been catching up.

The New York Times - Sports

This technique has been catching on in other sports.

The Economist

Peterson has been catching, throwing and running in training camp.

The New York Times - Sports

And the method has been catching on in recent years.

The New York Times

Molina, 31, has been catching for a decade with the St . Louis Cardinals

The New York Times - Sports

Samsung, for instance, has been catching up on brand equity with marketing, he said.

The New York Times

Since Frank's retirement the couple has been catching up on lost time.

The New Yorker

The actor Bob Odenkirk has been catching up on the news.

The New Yorker

He rarely visits Bologna, and he has been catching up with old friends.

The Guardian - Books

The college degree has been catching a lot of flak lately.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been catching" to describe an ongoing process of obtaining something or someone's attention. It is suitable when highlighting a continuous or repeated action in the past that extends to the present.

Common error

Avoid using "has been catching" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. Opt for simple past tense ("caught") instead to accurately convey the event's completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been catching" functions as the present perfect continuous tense of the verb 'catch'. As Ludwig AI confirms, this indicates an action that began in the past, has continued for some time, and may still be ongoing. The Ludwig examples showcase its use in describing processes, trends, or activities that have persisted over a period.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been catching" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, as supported by Ludwig AI. It signifies an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. It is versatile and appears frequently in news, academic and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to maintain the continuous aspect of the action; otherwise, using the simple past tense may be more suitable. Overall, it is a reliable choice for describing an action in progress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is picking up

Emphasizes an increase in pace or intensity of the action.

has been attracting

Emphasizes the act of drawing something or someone in, rather than actively acquiring.

has started to attract

Indicates the beginning of attracting something, emphasizing the start of the action.

is becoming popular

Indicates growing popularity and acceptance.

has been gaining

Focuses on the process of obtaining or accumulating something, often gradually.

is starting to gain

Highlights the initial phase of gaining something, with an emphasis on recent commencement.

has been capturing

Implies seizing or taking control of something, often with force or skill.

is beginning to capture

Focuses on the starting point of capturing something, suggesting an ongoing process.

has been developing

Highlights the growth or progression of something over time.

has been experiencing

Focuses on undergoing or feeling something, rather than actively doing.

FAQs

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

"Has been catching" is used to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The company "has been catching" up with its competitors in recent years".

What are some alternatives to "has been catching"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been attracting", "has been gaining", or "has been capturing".

Which is correct, "has been catching" or "has caught"?

"Has been catching" indicates a continuous action, while "has caught" indicates a completed action. Choose based on whether the action is ongoing or finished.

What's the difference between "has been catching" and "is catching"?

"Has been catching" refers to an action that started in the past and continues to the present, whereas "is catching" refers to an action happening now. For example, "The baseball player "has been catching" the ball all season", versus "The baseball player is catching the ball now".