has been investigating

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been investigating" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing an ongoing action that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example: "The police department has been investigating the incident for two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The E.P.A. has been investigating the practice.

The New Yorker

has been investigating him since last year.

The New Yorker

He has been investigating it ever since.

The New Yorker

Mr. Spitzer has been investigating Mr. Quattrone for six months.

The New York Times

The agency has been investigating Google's behavior since last spring.

The New York Times - Tech

The Brooklyn district attorney has been investigating allegations of mismanagement.

The New York Times

The justice department has been investigating WikiLeaks for some time.

The Guardian

A Congressional committee has been investigating the Inslaw matter.

The New York Times

The commission has been investigating since last summer.

The New York Times

But at the Du Bois Institute her focus has been investigating how Ethiopia can achieve democracy.

Harvard University

The other has been investigating the changing geography of early Christian cemeteries.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been investigating" to emphasize an ongoing investigation that started in the past and continues to the present. This tense highlights the duration and current relevance of the investigation.

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense (e.g., "investigated") if the investigation is still ongoing. "Investigated" implies the investigation has concluded, while "has been investigating" correctly indicates its continuous nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been investigating" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been investigating" is a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe ongoing investigations that began in the past and are still in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news reports, academic papers, and scientific articles, reflecting its wide applicability and neutral tone. Remember to avoid using past tenses if the investigation is still ongoing, and choose alternative phrases such as "is examining" or "has been looking into" depending on the desired level of formality and specific context. The wide applicability of the phrase and neutral tone make it a versatile choice for formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been looking into

Offers a more informal alternative, suggesting a less formal or official inquiry.

is currently probing

Replaces "has been investigating" with synonyms focusing on the present, continuous action of the investigation.

is examining

Emphasizes a detailed inspection or review, differing slightly in the scope of the action.

has been delving into

Implies a deeper, more thorough examination than a simple investigation.

is conducting an inquiry into

Formalizes the phrase to emphasize the structured nature of the investigation.

is scrutinizing

Highlights a critical and detailed analysis, often looking for flaws or inconsistencies.

is undertaking a study of

Shifts the context toward a more academic or research-oriented investigation.

has been researching

Focuses on the systematic investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, etc.

is analyzing

Implies a structured and methodical examination, typically involving data and interpretation.

is exploring

Suggests an open-ended investigation, often into new or uncharted territory.

FAQs

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

Use "has been investigating" to describe an ongoing inquiry that began in the past and is still in progress. For example, "The police department "has been investigating" the incident for several weeks."

What are some alternatives to "has been investigating"?

Alternatives include "is examining", "has been looking into", or "is conducting an inquiry into", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

When should I use "has investigated" instead of "has been investigating"?

"Has investigated" should be used when the investigation is complete, whereas ""has been investigating"" indicates that the investigation is still ongoing.

What's the difference between "has been investigating" and "is investigating"?

"Is investigating" describes an action happening now, while ""has been investigating"" describes an action that started in the past and continues to the present. The latter emphasizes the duration of the investigation.