has been operating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been operating" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a company or organization that has been in operation for a certain amount of time. For example, "This company has been operating for over 25 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has been operating since November.

The New Yorker

The theatre has been operating since 1949.

The Guardian

The office has been operating since 1992.

The Economist

"This guardianship has been operating hand-to-mouth".

The New York Times - Arts

Lately the company has been operating at a loss.

The Economist

Hotwire has been operating a beta site about six weeks.

The New York Times

The firm has been operating for barely two months.

The New York Times

United has been operating in bankruptcy proceedings since December 2002.

The New York Times

The plant has been operating at 12percentt of capacity.

The New York Times

A.I.G. has been operating in China since 1992.

The New York Times

Delphi has been operating under bankruptcy protection since 2005.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of an operation, specify the starting point or timeframe clearly. For instance, "The program "has been operating" since 2010" provides more context than simply saying "The program "has been operating".

Common error

Avoid using the simple present tense (e.g., "is operating") when you want to emphasize the continuity of an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Has been operating" highlights the ongoing nature more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been operating" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past and is still ongoing in the present. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been operating" is a versatile and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe continuous actions that started in the past and continue into the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its widespread usage spans across various domains, including news, science, and business. It is a common and accepted phrase, best used when emphasizing the duration of an activity. When using the phrase consider specifying the start time or period of operation. Related phrases such as "has been functioning" and "has been running" can offer similar meaning while adding slight differences in emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral register making it suitable for both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been functioning

Replaces 'operating' with 'functioning', emphasizing the act of working or performing as expected.

has been running

Uses 'running' instead of 'operating', suggesting continuous activity or management.

has been in service

Focuses on the state of being available and ready for use.

has been active

Indicates a state of being engaged in action or activity.

has been working

Emphasizes the exertion of effort towards a specific goal or function.

has been performing

Highlights the execution of a task or function.

has been executing

Similar to 'performing' but implies a more formal or controlled execution of tasks.

has been utilizing

Shifts focus to the use or application of something.

has been maintaining

Highlights ongoing care and upkeep to keep something operational.

has been underway

Describes an action or process that has commenced and is progressing.

FAQs

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

Use "has been operating" to describe something that started operating in the past and is still doing so in the present. For example, "The factory "has been operating" since 1995."

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

You can use alternatives like "has been functioning", "has been running", or "has been in service" depending on the specific context.

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

While "is operating" is grammatically correct, it describes a current state rather than a continuous action from the past. "Has been operating" implies that the operation began in the past and is still ongoing. For example: 'The system is operating normally' vs. 'The system "has been operating" since last Tuesday'.

What's the difference between "has been operating" and "was operating"?

"Has been operating" refers to something that started in the past and continues to operate in the present. "Was operating" indicates that something operated in the past but may not be operating now. Example: 'The store "has been operating" for 50 years' vs 'The store was operating until last week'.