has been commuting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been commuting" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in the context of travel to and from work or school. Example: "She has been commuting to the city for over an hour each day since she started her new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Alisa Abamson, 36, who works at Morgan Stanley, has been commuting with a neighbor.

The New York Times

Mr. Gurman, a financial representative, lives in Weston and has been commuting from Westport to Manhattan for six years.

The New York Times

Mary Collins, who works at a corporate travel agency and has been commuting with the group for seven years, agreed.

The New York Times - Style

"He should have been prosecuted," said Martin Bowles, 48, a pensions manager who has been commuting for 25 years.

The Guardian

The senator has been commuting to Washington while her husband, a bond lawyer, stayed in Dallas with Bailey.

The New York Times

We can easily speed up if needed," said Mr. Li, who has been commuting between home and work in a blue e-car for nearly two years.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

His sentence has been commuted to an eight month ban.

The Guardian - Sport

Separately, a 12-year sentence imposed on Atena Farghadani, an artist and women's rights activist, for depicting MPs with faces of animals has been commuted to 18 months, and her lawyer said she would be eligible for release next month.

The Guardian

The next day, the Council announced that the medics would not be executed; instead, the punishment has been commuted to life imprisonment.

Science Magazine

"I've been commuting for more than 20 years," he said.

The New York Times

He had been commuting by bus to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, then walking across town to the United Nations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past action, consider using "had been commuting" for clarity. E.g., 'Before moving, she had been commuting for five years.'

Common error

Avoid using "has been commuting" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, use "commuted" or "used to commute" if the person no longer travels that route regularly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been commuting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing in the present. Ludwig examples show its use in describing regular travel patterns, often for work or school.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been commuting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that began in the past and continues into the present. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It describes an ongoing regular journey between two locations, often for work or school. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, its register is neutral. While “has been commuting” is a straightforward way to express this idea, alternatives like "travels regularly" or "is a regular commuter" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the desired emphasis. Remember to avoid using "has been commuting" for past, completed actions; instead, opt for "commuted" or "used to commute".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is a regular commuter

Rephrases the idea using a noun, focusing on the person rather than the action.

undertakes a daily commute

A more formal way to express the action of commuting.

travels regularly

Focuses on the act of regular travel, omitting the specific context of commuting.

journeys daily

Emphasizes the daily aspect of the travel, rather than the purpose.

shuttles between

Implies a back-and-forth movement, often between two specific locations.

makes a daily trip

Highlights the daily nature of the journey without specifying it's for work or school.

regularly travels to

Focuses on the destination of the regular travel, less specific than commuting.

goes back and forth

A more general term for repeated travel between two locations.

makes a regular journey

Emphasizes the regularity of the trip but is less specific about its purpose.

travels on a routine basis

Highlights the routine aspect of traveling without specifying the reason.

FAQs

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

"Has been commuting" is used to describe a continuous action that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "She "has been commuting" to the city for five years."

What's the difference between "has been commuting" and "commutes"?

"Has been commuting" describes a continuous action from the past to the present, while "commutes" describes a habitual action in the present. For example, "She "has been commuting" since January," implies she still does. "She "commutes" daily" means it's her current habit.

Can I use "has been commuting" to describe a past action?

No, "has been commuting" is used for actions that started in the past and continue to the present. For past actions that are completed, use "commuted" or "used to commute".

What are some alternatives to "has been commuting"?

Alternatives include "travels regularly", "journeys daily", or "is a regular commuter", depending on the specific context and emphasis you want to convey.