has been preventing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been preventing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or situation where something is being stopped or hindered. Example: "The heavy rain has been preventing us from completing the outdoor project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

"But there's no question that my lack of hearing has been preventing me from getting work".

The New York Times

The move may ease some of the deadlock that has been preventing relief from getting through.

The New York Times

President Bush has been preventing a fast 2001 tax decrease by tying the short-term tax decrease to his long-term plan.

The New York Times

Money for the fund is supposed to come from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but their regulator – the Federal Housing Finance Agency FHFAA) – has been preventing the cash from flowing.

The Guardian - Opinion

What is more, Hamas's top leadership, based in Damascus, has been preventing the more moderate Hamas leaders in Gaza and the West Bank from reaching compromises with other Palestinian parties that could eventually reopen contacts with Israel.

The Economist

Although China is the only country with sufficient economic leverage to drive the North to the brink of collapse or to wring concessions on its nuclear weapons development, its top priority has been preventing the implosion of the Pyongyang regime, which would cause instability on its border, analysts say.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

That calamity has been prevented".

The New York Times

The caller is in effect saying that a fraudster has been prevented from robbing you.

The Guardian - Money

His deportation to Jordan has been prevented on the grounds that he could be tortured there.

The Guardian

"All in all Amina has been prevented from functioning as an independent adult," Holman ruled.

The Guardian

It can be seen that the color cast caused by scattering has been prevented.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been preventing", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being stopped or hindered. For example, "The lack of funding has been preventing the project from moving forward."

Common error

Avoid using "has been preventing" when a complete stop hasn't occurred. If something is only slowed down or partially hindered, consider alternatives like "delaying" or "impeding" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been preventing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action of stopping something from happening or progressing. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in various contexts. Examples show it describes situations where an obstacle or action is currently hindering progress or causing cessation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been preventing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe an ongoing action of obstruction or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various formal and informal settings. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being prevented and by whom. While alternatives like "has been hindering" and "has been impeding" exist, choosing the most appropriate term depends on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been hindering

Synonymous replacement focusing on obstruction or impedance.

has been impeding

Similar to hindering, suggesting a slowing or obstruction of progress.

has been obstructing

Highlights the act of creating an obstacle or blockage.

has been blocking

Emphasizes the act of stopping something from passing or progressing.

has been stopping

A more general term for preventing an action or event.

has been thwarting

Indicates an active effort to prevent something from succeeding.

has been precluding

Focuses on making something impossible or excluding it.

has been averting

Specifically refers to preventing something negative from happening.

has been forestalling

Suggests preventing something by acting in advance.

has been inhibiting

Implies a restraint or suppression of something.

FAQs

What's a good substitute for "has been preventing"?

You can use alternatives like "has been hindering", "has been impeding", or "has been blocking", depending on the specific context.

How do I use "has been preventing" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that the sentence clearly identifies both the subject that is doing the preventing and the object or action that is being prevented. For example, "The new regulations have been preventing small businesses from expanding."

Is there a difference between "has been preventing" and "has prevented"?

"Has been preventing" implies an ongoing action, while "has prevented" indicates a completed action. For example, "The barrier has been preventing access" (ongoing), versus "The barrier has prevented access" (access is now impossible).

When should I not use "has been preventing"?

Avoid using "has been preventing" if the action is not ongoing or if the prevention is not the primary focus. In situations where the action has already been completely stopped, "has prevented" might be more appropriate.