has been running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been running" is correct and usable in written English.
You would use it when you want to emphasize that an action has been continuing over a period of time. For example, "This business has been running since 2005."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he has been running ever since.

The New York Times - Health

So the vast majority has been running.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He has been running banks ever since.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Eboué has been running outside.

The Guardian - Sport

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been running a post-I.C.U.

The New York Times

It has been running for almost three weeks.

The New York Times

SuperEnalotto has been running since the end of 1997.

The Economist

The show has been running 2 1/2 yrs.

The New Yorker

"It has been running for months.

The Guardian

This train has been running late.

The Guardian

Inflation has been running about 4percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been running" to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present. For example, "The company has been running smoothly since the new CEO took over."

Common error

Avoid using "has been running" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, use the past perfect continuous, like "had been running", to refer to something completed before a time in the past, or the simple past tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been running" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is ongoing. Ludwig examples show it used to describe processes, programs, and even people that have been active for a period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been running" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to denote actions that started in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, especially in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When writing, ensure you use the correct tense and choose appropriate alternatives based on the desired emphasis. Remember, the focus should be on conveying the ongoing nature of the activity or state, and to refer to actions completed in the past use the past perfect continuous, like “had been running”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has continued to run

Stresses the continuation of a process or activity without interruption.

has been operating

Focuses on the act of functioning or managing something, rather than the physical activity of running.

has been functioning

Emphasizes the continuous activity of something, such as a system or organization.

has been in operation

Highlights that something has been active or working over a period of time.

has been ongoing

Implies a continuous process or activity that is still in progress.

has remained active

Focuses on maintaining a state of activity or involvement.

has proceeded

Focuses on the continuation of a process or activity in a forward direction.

has been conducting

Highlights the act of carrying out a specific task or activity.

has been maintaining

Suggests the preservation or upkeep of something in a working condition.

has been executing

Emphasizes the implementation or performance of a plan or action.

FAQs

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

Use "has been running" to describe an action that began in the past and is still continuing in the present. For instance, "The program "has been running" for five years."

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "has been operating", "has been functioning", or "has continued to run".

When should I use "has been running" versus "had been running"?

"Has been running" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Had been running" describes an action that was in progress before another point in the past. For example, "She "has been running" every day this week," versus "She "had been running" before she injured her knee."

Is it correct to say "has been ran" instead of "has been running"?

No, "has been ran" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""has been running"", which uses the present perfect continuous tense with the correct past participle of the verb 'run'.