has been driving

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been driving" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in present perfect continuous tense. Example: He has been driving for two hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Sadler has been driving well lately.

The New York Times - Sports

Watson has been driving the ball prodigious distances here.

The New York Times - Sports

It is clear that speculation has been driving gold's rise.

The New York Times

He's 56 and has been driving horses for 20 years.

The Guardian - Tech

Overcapacity has been driving consolidation in the world's satellite industry.

The New York Times

The same dynamic has been driving the election.

The Guardian

"Gold has been driving people crazy for years," he said.

The New York Times

She has been "driving me crazy," Alarcón said, laughing.

The New Yorker

"What has been driving the discussion has been the enrichment activity," said one former intelligence official.

The New York Times

Everything that has been driving Internet shares onwards and upwards appeared still to hold.

The Economist

The intense competition has been driving interest rates down to ever lower levels.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been driving" to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action or influence. For example, "The new policy has been driving significant changes in the industry."

Common error

Avoid using "has been driving" when referring to a one-time, completed event. Instead, use the simple past tense "drove" or the present perfect tense "has driven". For example, say "He drove to the store yesterday" instead of "He has been driving to the store yesterday", if the trip is complete.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "has been driving" is to express an action that began in the past and continues into the present, or has recently finished, emphasizing the duration of the action. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples showcasing its use in describing ongoing activities and influences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been driving" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, suitable for describing actions that started in the past and continue into the present or have recently ceased. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action, often highlighting its impact or effects over time. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid using it for completed one-time events, opting instead for simple past or present perfect tenses. Remember to leverage "has been driving" to accentuate the duration and continuous impact of an action, enhancing clarity and depth in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has driven

Focuses on the completion of the action rather than its continuous nature.

has been steering

Implies guidance or direction over a period of time, which is a metaphorical extension of "driving".

has been operating

Suggests a functional or mechanical action being performed continuously.

has contributed to

Highlights the causal effect of something over a period, instead of the literal act of driving.

has fueled

Implies that something has provided energy or impetus for a continuous process.

has prompted

Indicates that something has initiated or encouraged a continuous action.

has motivated

Suggests that something has provided a continuous reason or incentive.

has sustained

Implies continuous support or maintenance of something.

has maintained

Indicates that something has been kept in a certain state continuously.

has advanced

Focuses on the continuous progress or development of something.

FAQs

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

Use "has been driving" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, or has recently ceased. For example, "She "has been driving" for five hours, so she must be tired".

What's the difference between "has been driving" and "has driven"?

"Has been driving" emphasizes the continuous nature of the action. "Has driven", on the other hand, focuses on the completion of the action, or the result. For example, "He "has driven" 200 miles today" focuses on the distance covered, whereas "He "has been driving" all day" focuses on the activity over time.

What can I say instead of "has been driving" when describing influence?

When describing influence, alternatives include "has been fueling", "has contributed to", or "has been motivating", depending on the specific context.

Is "has been driving" formal or informal language?

"Has been driving" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than the phrase itself.