has been negotiating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been negotiating" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in the context of discussions or agreements. Example: "The company has been negotiating with potential partners for several months to finalize the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Apple has been negotiating with China Mobile to sell iPhones.

The New York Times - Tech

Flacco's agent, Joe Linta, has been negotiating with the Ravens.

The New York Times - Sports

Ukraine has been negotiating a $4bn IMF rescue.

The Guardian

Orza has been negotiating with management's lawyer, Rob Manfred.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Casciano has been negotiating to buy 700 Advantage machines.

The New York Times

Mr. Brown has been negotiating with Republicans to find those votes.

The New York Times

So Mr Brown has been negotiating with five who seemed amenable.

The Economist

Since last year, Bridgewater has been negotiating partnerships with the Texas pension and two unnamed parties.

The New York Times

For months, Nabucco has been negotiating to obtain gas from the Shah Deniz II field.

The New York Times

In recent months she has been negotiating with him to share power.

The Economist

One leading supplier, IBM, has been negotiating to sell part of its business.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been negotiating" to describe ongoing discussions aimed at reaching an agreement or compromise. Ensure the context clearly indicates what parties are involved and the subject of the negotiation.

Common error

Avoid using "has been negotiating" to describe a completed negotiation. Use "negotiated" or "had negotiated" instead to indicate the negotiation is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been negotiating" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It describes a process rather than a single event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been negotiating" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig, to describe ongoing negotiation processes. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it conveys a sense of duration and continuity. To use it effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates the parties involved and the negotiation's subject. Remember to avoid using it for completed negotiations. Considering alternative phrases such as "has been discussing" or "has been in talks" can add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been discussing

Focuses on the act of talking about something without necessarily implying a formal negotiation.

has been in talks

Emphasizes the state of being engaged in discussions.

has been arranging

Highlights the process of making arrangements or plans.

has been working out

Suggests effort and problem-solving to reach an agreement.

has been hammering out

Implies a more intense and detailed negotiation process.

has been settling

Focuses on reaching a final agreement or resolution.

has been mediating

Involves a third party helping to facilitate an agreement.

has been arbitrating

Suggests a formal process of resolving disputes.

has been consulting

Indicates seeking advice and input from various parties.

has been liaising

Highlights the act of communicating and coordinating with different groups.

FAQs

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

Use "has been negotiating" to describe an ongoing process of discussion between two or more parties with the aim of reaching an agreement. For example, "The company "has been negotiating" with the union for several weeks."

What's the difference between "has been negotiating" and "negotiated"?

"Has been negotiating" indicates an ongoing process, while "negotiated" implies the negotiation has been completed. Example: "The union "has been negotiating" for better benefits" (ongoing). "The union "negotiated" a new contract last year" (completed).

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

You can use alternatives like "has been discussing", "has been in talks", or "has been arranging" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "is negotiating" instead of "has been negotiating"?

While "is negotiating" can be correct, it typically describes an action happening right now. "Has been negotiating" emphasizes a process that started in the past and continues to the present. For example: "The team is negotiating now" (at this moment). "The team "has been negotiating" for weeks" (ongoing process).