has been collecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been collecting' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when talking about an ongoing action that has been occurring for an extended period of time. For example: "Bob has been collecting vintage toys for the past 10 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Dr. Rose has been collecting around the peak of Orizaba.

University of California, Berkeley

It has been collecting data for the past seven months.

The Economist

Goode has been collecting reptiles since he was six.

The New Yorker

It has been collecting more intelligence in recent years.

The Guardian

She has been collecting since she was a teenager.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has been collecting books with passion and discernment".

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Coviello has been collecting since he was 13.

The New York Times

And Hiller has been collecting it for decades.

The Guardian - Arts

The Broadway League has been collecting data since 1957.

The New York Times

Mr. Baer has been collecting longer than Mrs. Stone.

The New Yorker

The F.D.I.C. has been collecting the figures since 1984.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been collecting" to describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present. It indicates a process that's ongoing.

Common error

Avoid using "has been collecting" for actions that have already finished. Use "collected" instead to describe completed actions in the past.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been collecting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It describes an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and may continue into the future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

27%

Science

23%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been collecting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates an ongoing action that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for use in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academia, and Science contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the action is indeed ongoing and not completed. Alternatives like "has been accumulating" or "has been gathering" can be used depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been accumulating

This alternative emphasizes a gradual increase in quantity over time.

has been gathering

This alternative highlights the act of bringing things together from various sources.

has been acquiring

This alternative focuses on the act of gaining possession of items, often intentionally.

has been amassing

This alternative suggests a large quantity being collected, often with the connotation of wealth or power.

has been compiling

This alternative implies collecting information or data, often for a specific purpose.

has been assembling

Suggests collecting parts or pieces to form a whole.

has been hoarding

This alternative carries a negative connotation, suggesting excessive and often unnecessary collecting.

has been curating

This alternative implies a careful and selective process of collecting, often in an artistic or cultural context.

has been building up

Emphasizes the gradual increase of something over a period.

has been saving up

Focuses on the collection of money or resources for a specific future purpose.

FAQs

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

Use "has been collecting" to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "She "has been collecting" stamps since she was a child".

What are some alternatives to "has been collecting"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been accumulating", "has been gathering", or "has been acquiring".

Is there a difference between "has been collecting" and "collected"?

"Has been collecting" implies an ongoing process, while "collected" indicates a completed action. Use "has been collecting" when the action is still happening and "collected" when it is finished.

When is it appropriate to use "has been collecting" instead of "is collecting"?

"Has been collecting" emphasizes the duration and continuity of the action from the past to the present. "Is collecting" focuses more on the present moment. For example: She "is collecting" shells at the beach versus she ""has been collecting"" shells for years.