has been forming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been forming" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been developing over time. For example, "This friendship has been forming for over ten years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

A tripartite confrontational renewable energy trading system has been forming and is strengthening.

Energy Policy

The NaK coolant has been forming droplets up to a diameter of 5.5 cm.

Advances in Space Research

If wholesale funding markets become fully frozen (and ice has been forming since the spring), where should the bank turn?

The Guardian - Business

The team was surprised to find that at least one of the planets has been forming for around 2 million years.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, a Federal band has been forming here in Jack son under the direction of a Deputy Assistant Attorney Gen eral, Frank M. Dunbaugh.

The New York Times

Today's tsunami appears to have been caused by an underwater collapse of part of the new island and that has been forming as the volcano grows.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

An Amazigh security force has been formed.

The New York Times

But no such commission has been formed.

The New York Times

This is why the Social Economy Alliance has been formed.

The Guardian

"A culture of violence has been formed," Timochenko said.

The New Yorker

A hierarchy of home-delivery food has been formed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been forming" to describe processes or developments that have been ongoing for a period of time and are still in progress. For example, "A new coalition has been forming in response to the proposed legislation."

Common error

Don't use "has been forming" when a simpler tense like "is" or "was" is sufficient. For instance, instead of "The committee has been forming since last week," consider "The committee was formed last week" if the forming process is complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been forming" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect progressive tense. It indicates an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and is still ongoing. As Ludwig examples show, it describes the continuous development of something over time.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been forming" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to illustrate continuous development from a point in the past to the present. According to Ludwig, this present perfect progressive tense allows writers to emphasize the ongoing nature of a process. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science", the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for varied contexts. Remember to use it when you want to highlight the evolution of something over time, but avoid overuse where a simpler past or present tense would suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in the process of becoming

This alternative emphasizes the transformation aspect of forming.

is gradually forming

This highlights the incremental nature of the forming process.

is developing

This alternative uses a simpler present continuous tense to convey a similar meaning of ongoing development.

is evolving

This indicates a gradual change and development over time.

has started to form

Focuses on the initiation of the forming process rather than its continuous nature.

is taking shape

This phrase implies a clearer definition or structure is emerging during the process.

is materializing

This suggests that something is becoming real or apparent over time.

is under construction

This suggests a more deliberate and planned process of formation.

is solidifying

Suggests a process of becoming more firm or stable.

is coalescing

Implies the merging of elements into a unified whole.

FAQs

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

Use "has been forming" to describe something that started in the past and is still in the process of developing. For example, "A strong bond "has been forming" between the two departments since the merger."

What are some alternatives to "has been forming"?

Alternatives include "is developing", "is taking shape", or "is in the process of becoming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "has been forming" and "has formed"?

"Has been forming" describes an ongoing process, while "has formed" indicates that the process is complete. For example, "The team has been forming over the past few weeks" versus "The team has formed and is ready to compete."

When is it appropriate to use "has been forming" over "is forming"?

"Has been forming" emphasizes a duration that started in the past and continues to the present. "Is forming" focuses on the present moment of the forming process. Use "has been forming" when the history of the development is relevant.