has been determining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been determining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action or process that started in the past and continues to the present, often in contexts related to decision-making or influence. Example: "The research has been determining the effectiveness of the new treatment over the last few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

But even before its decision on United, the board's top priority has been determining whether an airline will be able to repay the loan.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg's guide has been determining what is good for the city and the bottom line, and then doing it, sometimes unblinkingly taking on powerful interests.

The New York Times

Called the E-Commerce Standards Solutions Forum, the group has been determining how to standardize e-commerce practices and provide consumer protection.

The New York Times

A challenge for some educators has been determining what types of workers the companies need and when they will be needed.

The Washington Post

One major focus of investigation has been determining the nutritional potential of various natural vegetation forms in terms of their use in livestock raising and wildlife management.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A central issue in the case for investigators has been determining which intermediaries were doing legitimate placement work and whether some were simply cronies or insiders who received fees but did no actual work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

No motive has been determined.

The New York Times

The adsorption has been determined.

Fuel

It has been determined that Inez has attention deficit disorder.

The New York Times

"Herbalife has been determined not to be a pyramid scheme".

The New Yorker

"Since then, the price has been determined by the market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been determining", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being determined and why it is important.

Common error

Avoid using "has been determining" when a simple past tense ("determined") or present perfect tense ("has determined") is more appropriate for completed actions or decisions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been determining" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and is likely to continue further. Ludwig AI validates this as a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been determining" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, suitable for describing ongoing processes of discovery, evaluation, or decision-making. It's most frequently found in news and media, scientific and academic contexts. While versatile, it should be used with consideration to tense consistency and clarity. Alternative phrasing, such as "has been ascertaining" or "has been figuring out", can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey. This phrase is useful in situations where there is an active process ongoing and a final result hasn't yet been reached.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been ascertaining

Replaces "determining" with "ascertaining", implying a more formal and precise process of finding something out.

has been establishing

Substitutes "determining" with "establishing", suggesting a process of setting up or creating something.

has been figuring out

Replaces "determining" with the more informal "figuring out", implying a problem-solving approach.

has been deciding

Changes "determining" to "deciding", focusing on the process of making a choice or judgment.

has been influencing

Shifts the focus from determining to actively shaping or affecting an outcome.

has been shaping

Similar to "influencing", but emphasizes the act of giving form or direction to something.

has been resolving

Focuses on the process of solving or settling a question or issue.

has been assessing

Highlights the evaluation aspect of determining something, often in a formal context.

has been evaluating

Similar to "assessing", emphasizing the systematic appraisal of something.

has been investigating

Shifts the focus to a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine the facts of an incident, allegation, etc. so as to establish the truth

FAQs

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

Use "has been determining" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, especially when figuring out or establishing something. For example, "The committee "has been determining" the best course of action."

What phrases are similar to "has been determining"?

Similar phrases include "has been ascertaining", "has been establishing", or "has been figuring out", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "has determined" instead of "has been determining"?

"Has determined" indicates a completed action, while "has been determining" implies an ongoing process. Use "has determined" when a decision or conclusion has already been reached. For example, "The study "has determined" the cause of the disease."

Is "has been determining" formal or informal?

"Has been determining" is generally suitable for neutral to formal contexts, such as academic writing, news reports, or professional communication. However, depending on the alternative word after "has been", it can be more informal, as it happens in the example "has been figuring out".