has been influencing

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been influencing" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been affecting or having an effect on a situation for some time in the past and is still having an effect on the situation now. Example sentence: The social media trends of the last few years have been influencing the way we communicate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Videogame design has been influencing US TV and movies for several years.

The Guardian - Tech

Someone who has been influencing fashion lately is Reem Alasadi, who runs a stall in the Portobello market.

The New York Times

Corea has been influencing modern-jazz pianists since the late sixties, and he continues to do so to this day.

The New Yorker

Germany has been influencing our set designers ever since Brecht's Berliner Ensemble changed the face of British theatre in the 1950s.

The Guardian

Whether the former president has been influencing foreign policy at the White House has been a question of considerable curiosity in Washington -- and in foreign capitals -- with diplomats noting the disparity in knowledge and experience between father and son.

The New York Times

American Public Health Association (//www.apha.org/) has been influencing policies and setting priorities in public health for over 120 years and been at the forefront of numerous efforts to prevent disease and promote health.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Eastern Balochi has been influenced by Sindhi, while Western Balochi has been influenced by Persian.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He says his writing has been influenced by his art.

The New York Times

Mostly, Philippoussis has been influenced by his coach, Mike DePalmer.

The New York Times - Sports

She has been influenced by Carly Simon and Sting, she said.

The New York Times

"He has been influenced by external factors which I have identified in my statement," Abbas said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been influencing" to describe an ongoing effect rather than a completed action; for past completed actions, use "influenced".

Common error

Avoid using "has been influencing" when a simple past tense like 'influenced' is more appropriate. The continuous aspect implies an ongoing process, so ensure the influence is still active. For example, instead of saying 'His work has been influencing the field long after his death' consider 'His work influenced the field long after his death' if his influence is no longer actively growing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been influencing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has relevance to the present. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been influencing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the sustained and ongoing impact of something. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general discourse. While alternatives like "has been affecting" or "has been shaping" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. When employing this phrase, ensure that the ongoing nature of the influence is clear and that the subject and object of the influence are well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use simpler tenses when the influencing effect has been completed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been affecting

This alternative is more general, indicating a simple impact without necessarily implying a guiding or shaping influence.

has been shaping

This alternative suggests a stronger, more formative influence, implying a deliberate molding effect.

has been impacting

This alternative is similar to affecting, often used in business or technical contexts to denote measurable effects.

has been guiding

This alternative emphasizes direction and leadership, suggesting a course of action is being influenced.

has been molding

Similar to shaping, this emphasizes a more hands-on, transformative influence.

has been determining

This alternative suggests a conclusive influence, where the outcome is largely decided by the influencing factor.

has been dictating

This alternative denotes a powerful, controlling influence, leaving little room for deviation.

has been conditioning

This implies a gradual influence that alters behavior or thought patterns over time.

has been predisposing

This alternative suggests making someone or something susceptible to a particular condition or influence.

has been coloring

This implies subtly influencing something's character or appearance, often emotionally or subjectively.

FAQs

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

Use "has been influencing" to describe an ongoing effect or impact that something has had over a period of time. For example, "The internet "has been influencing" communication methods worldwide."

What can I say instead of "has been influencing"?

You can use alternatives like "has been affecting", "has been shaping", or "has been impacting" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "has influenced" and "has been influencing"?

"Has influenced" indicates a completed action with a lasting effect, while "has been influencing" suggests an ongoing process. For example, "His ideas "has influenced" the field of study" versus "His work "has been influencing" current research."

When is it incorrect to use "has been influencing"?

It is incorrect to use "has been influencing" when the influence is no longer active or ongoing. In such cases, using ""has influenced"" is more appropriate.