has been distributing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been distributing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The organization has been distributing food supplies to those in need since the beginning of the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It helps that Molly has been distributing the ball well among hitters.

The New York Times

The union has been distributing red shirts defending the status quo.

The New York Times

Diageo has been distributing their tequila outside Mexico since 1986, but that agreement ends in June.

The Economist

They kept working there while taping the weekly shows, which NPR has been distributing nationwide for 25 years.

The New York Times

As part of its strategy, the group has been distributing articles and opinion columns written in defense of private equity.

The New York Times

Map International has been distributing the water filters to the Tsa'chilla, a community in the Ecuadorian Amazon for several years.

The Guardian

"The military has been distributing food and registering refugees and pitching tents in new camps in the area".

The Guardian

That's according to the lesson plans that Sony Pictures has been distributing to literature and history teachers in the hope of convincing students that Shakespeare was a fraud.

The New York Times

In recent weeks, his campaign does appear to have printed up more yard signs and has been distributing them to supporters who attend events.

The New York Times

You also get a version of the Apple window decals that the company has been distributing at least since the original Mac in 1984.

The New York Times

The Qaddafi government has been distributing weapons to many Libyan citizens for use in their own defense, and its armed militia and plainclothes police are omnipresent in Tripoli.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been distributing" to describe an action of giving out or spreading something that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example: 'The charity has been distributing food to the homeless for years.'

Common error

Avoid using "has been distributing" if the action is completed and no longer ongoing. Use "distributed" instead. For example, instead of "The flyers has been distributing yesterday", say "The flyers were distributed yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been distributing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and may continue into the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been distributing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present perfect continuous verb phrase. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes an ongoing action that started in the past. It's most commonly found in news, formal business and media contexts, serving to inform about the continuous dissemination or provision of something. While versatile, it is important to avoid using it when the action is completed, opting for the simple past tense instead. Alternatives include "has been supplying" or "has been providing", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been supplying

Replaces "distributing" with "supplying", focusing on the provision aspect.

has been providing

Substitutes "distributing" with "providing", emphasizing the act of making something available.

has been disseminating

Replaces "distributing" with "disseminating", suggesting a more widespread and perhaps less organized spreading of information or items.

has been delivering

Replaces distributing with delivering, stressing the action of transport and handing over.

has been circulating

Replaces distributing, suggesting the spreading of information or items among a group.

has been allocating

Instead of distributing, focusing on the act of setting aside resources or assigning shares.

has been dispensing

Substitutes distributing with dispensing, implying a controlled and often measured release of something.

has been issuing

Instead of distributing, refers to formally providing or releasing something, often documents or statements.

has been furnishing

Instead of distributing, focuses on the act of equipping or providing something necessary.

has been apportioning

Instead of distributing, it emphatizes a fair or mathematically precise method of dividing resources.

FAQs

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

Use "has been distributing" to describe an ongoing action of giving something out. For instance, "The organization "has been distributing" aid since the disaster struck".

What are some alternatives to "has been distributing"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been supplying", "has been providing", or "has been disseminating".

Is there a difference between "has been distributing" and "distributed"?

"Has been distributing" implies an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, while "distributed" implies a completed action. For example, "The company distributed the product last year" versus "The company "has been distributing" the product since last year".

When should I use "has been distributing" instead of "is distributing"?

Use "has been distributing" when the action started in the past and continues to the present. Use "is distributing" for an action happening now. For instance, "The volunteer is distributing water bottles now", versus "The volunteer "has been distributing" them all morning".