has been handling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been handling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action or responsibility that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "She has been handling the customer service inquiries for the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

… Target has been handling Mr. Hardwick gingerly.

The New York Times

His deputy has been handling city business.

The New York Times

Medco has been handling prescriptions for Poly Medicas clients since 2006.

The New York Times

Mr. Churchill has been handling employment law issues for over 20 years.

Harvard University

"I'm very impressed with the way he has been handling this.

The New York Times

Until now, much of the business for them has been handling all-cash deals.

The New York Times

A third and young est brother, Mike, has been handling the bookkeeping.

The New York Times

But Coach Bill Parcells has been handling Williams, at 23 the youngest Jet, gingerly.

The New York Times - Sports

The client, established 16 years ago, has been handling its own advertising.

The New York Times

It's gas prices, the war -- just the way he has been handling things.

The Washington Post

The army referred questions about Manning to the Department of Justice, which has been handling the case.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Choose synonyms like "managing" or "overseeing" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement while ensuring context consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "has been handling" to describe a completed action in the past. Instead, use the past simple tense: "handled". For example, say "She handled the negotiations successfully" instead of "She has been handling the negotiations successfully" if the negotiation is over.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been handling" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently stopped. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction emphasizes the duration of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

11%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been handling" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb construction used to describe an action that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent use across various contexts, including news, business, and academia. While generally considered neutral to professional in register, it's important to avoid tense errors by ensuring the ongoing nature of the handled task. Consider alternatives like "managing" or "overseeing" to vary your language while maintaining semantic accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been managing

Replaces "handling" with a broader term for overseeing and directing.

has been overseeing

Focuses on the supervisory aspect of "handling".

has been dealing with

Emphasizes the act of addressing or taking care of something, often a problem or task.

has been taking care of

Highlights the responsibility and attention given to something.

has been in charge of

Indicates a position of authority or responsibility.

has been responsible for

Directly states the accountability for something.

has been processing

Implies a systematic or procedural approach to managing something.

has been addressing

Suggests actively working to resolve issues or concerns.

has been coordinating

Focuses on organizing and integrating different elements.

has been administering

Suggests a formal or official management role.

FAQs

What does "has been handling" mean?

The phrase "has been handling" means someone has been managing, dealing with, or taking care of something over a period of time, starting in the past and continuing to the present.

What are some synonyms for "has been handling"?

Alternatives include "has been managing", "has been overseeing", or "has been dealing with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

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

Use "has been handling" to describe an ongoing responsibility. For example, "He has been handling the company's finances for the past five years."

Is it correct to say "has handled" instead of "has been handling"?

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Has handled" implies a completed action, while "has been handling" implies an ongoing process. For example: "She has handled the project" (it's done) vs. "She has been handling the project" (she's currently working on it).