has been deciding

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been deciding" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a decision that has been in progress over a period of time. For example: "She has been deciding which college to attend for the past two months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Maybe the problem has been deciding whether Earp was a hero or a villain.

The New York Times - Books

The tough part has been deciding whether the view is better by day or by night.

The New York Times - Travel

Wirth's biggest problem has been deciding precisely what to do with the relatively small amount of money he has available.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps the knottiest problem, though, has been deciding what scientific evidence or testimony should be considered in the first place.

The New York Times - Science

My dilemma in adulthood has been deciding how much of that philosophy to transmit to my children and grandchildren, who are growing up in a very different world.

The New York Times

Last week, we published a case study about a young entrepreneur in Seattle, Aseem Badshah, who has been deciding how to divide his time and attention between two ventures.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"But nothing has been decided".

The New York Times - Sports

Nothing has been decided yet.

The New York Times

"It has been decided for Mr. Morsi.

The New York Times

Her role in life has been decided.

The New York Times

My fate has been decided.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been deciding" to emphasize the duration and ongoing nature of a decision-making process. For example, instead of saying "She is deciding," use "She has been deciding for weeks" to highlight the extended period of consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "has been deciding" when a simple present tense verb like "decides" is more appropriate. "Has been deciding" implies a prolonged process, while "decides" suggests a routine or regular action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been deciding" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action (deciding) that started in the past and is still ongoing or has relevance to the present. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that it's a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been deciding" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe an ongoing decision-making process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various sentences. Its frequency is classified as Uncommon, with primary usage in News & Media and Science contexts. When using this phrase, emphasize the duration of the deliberation. Alternatives include "is currently considering" and "has been contemplating. However, avoid using "has been deciding" when a simple present tense is more appropriate. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for expressing the continuous nature of making up one's mind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is currently considering

Focuses on the present moment of deliberation, rather than a continuous process.

is in the process of choosing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the selection process.

has been contemplating

Highlights deep thought and reflection over time.

has been weighing options

Focuses on evaluating different possibilities.

is trying to determine

Emphasizes the effort to reach a conclusion.

has been assessing

Highlights evaluation of different factors before deciding.

is in the decision-making phase

More formal, emphasizing the stage of the process.

has yet to decide

Focuses on the lack of a final decision.

is pondering

Suggests a reflective consideration of the decision at hand.

is mulling over

Suggests a more casual and informal reflection on the decision.

FAQs

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

Use "has been deciding" to indicate that someone has been in the process of making a decision over a period of time. For example: "The committee "has been deciding" on the budget for the past month."

What's the difference between "has been deciding" and "has decided"?

"Has been deciding" indicates an ongoing process, while "has decided" implies that a decision has already been made. Using "has decided" means that the action is completed.

What are some alternatives to "has been deciding"?

You can use alternatives like "is currently considering", "is in the process of choosing", or "has been contemplating depending on the context.

Is "has been deciding" formal or informal?

"Has been deciding" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality often depends on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.