has been ongoing

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been ongoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that has been happening continuously over a period of time. For example: "The debate about climate change has been ongoing for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been ongoing in the southernmost part of Sweden (Skåne/Blekinge) since 1994.

BMC Pediatrics

Since then there has been ongoing debate.

The Guardian

But the problem has been ongoing.

The Guardian

Settler terrorism has been ongoing for decades with impunity.

The Guardian

growing has been ongoing since the Roman times.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

The debate has been ongoing in other evangelical circles elsewhere.

The Washington Post

"It has been ongoing during my time here," Rodgers said.

The Guardian - Sport

The issue has been ongoing for years, his parents said.

The Washington Post

Second, there has been ongoing interest in semantic foundations for default logic.

Artificial Intelligence

There has been ongoing debate regarding the ownership of publicly and privately funded trial data.

Harvard University

That mode of operation has been ongoing since 1999 when the relicensing request was filed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been ongoing" to describe processes, projects, or situations that have been happening for a noticeable period. It emphasizes continuity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been ongoing" for events that have a definite end point in the past. Instead, use the past simple or past perfect tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been ongoing" functions as a present perfect continuous construction. It indicates that an action or state began in the past and is still in progress at the time of speaking or writing. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and fit for use. See the examples for varied applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been ongoing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe actions or processes that started in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig AI affirms its validity and broad applicability. It is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing, with a generally neutral register. When using this phrase, remember to emphasize the duration and continuity of the described event. Be mindful of using the past simple or past perfect if the event has concluded. Consider related phrases like ""has been continuing"" or ""has been in progress"" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been continuing

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the process.

has been proceeding

Emphasizes the progression or forward movement of something.

has been in progress

Highlights that the activity is currently happening but may not be continuous.

has been underway

Implies that something has been started and is currently taking place.

has been happening

A more general and less formal way of saying something is occurring.

has existed continuously

Stresses the uninterrupted existence of something.

has persisted

Indicates that something has continued despite difficulties or opposition.

remains in effect

Suggests that a rule, law, or condition is still valid and active.

has been sustained

Highlights that something has been maintained or supported over time.

is still happening

A simpler way to express that an event is still taking place at the present moment.

FAQs

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

Use "has been ongoing" to describe an action or process that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, "The debate "has been ongoing" for years."

What are some alternatives to "has been ongoing"?

Alternatives include "has been continuing", "has been in progress", or "has been underway", depending on the specific context.

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

"Is ongoing" is grammatically correct but implies that something is happening at the present moment, without necessarily indicating a prolonged duration. "Has been ongoing" emphasizes that the activity started in the past and continues to the present.

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

"Has been ongoing" emphasizes the duration of the activity from a point in the past up to the present, while "is continuing" simply highlights that the activity is currently in progress. The nuance is that "has been ongoing" implies a longer, more established duration.