has been seeking

USAGE SUMMARY

'has been seeking' is a correctly used construction in written English.
You can use it when referring to an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present, or when referring to an action that is temporaily suspended but may be resumed again in the future. For example: "John has been seeking a job for three months now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has been seeking work for years.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. says it has been seeking more such freezes.

The New York Times

These days, Obama has been seeking guidance in presidential biographies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Sharon has been seeking negotiations on partial agreements.

The New York Times

HUD has been seeking civil penalties against Amerifirst since 1996.

The New York Times

For months, Mueller has been seeking to interview the president.

The Washington Post

Ms. Silverstone has been seeking similar-minded partners.

The New York Times

But the magazine has been seeking a slightly older audience.

The New York Times

Almost certainly it has been seeking to build a bomb.

The Guardian

He has been seeking a six-figure salary.

The New York Times - Sports

The coach has been seeking a multiyear extension.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been seeking" to describe ongoing efforts or persistent attempts to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The company has been seeking new investors to expand its operations."

Common error

Avoid using "has been seeking" when the action has already been completed. Use "sought" instead. For example, instead of "The company has been seeking a solution, and now has been seeking it", say "The company sought a solution and found it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been seeking" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past and is still ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms this, providing numerous real-world examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been seeking" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase in contemporary English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to depict an ongoing or recently concluded effort to find or achieve something. Its versatility extends across various contexts, with a noticeable prevalence in news and media outlets. While interchangeable with alternatives like "has been pursuing" or "has been trying to obtain", it's essential to ensure accurate tense usage, especially distinguishing it from "has sought" to prevent errors. Therefore, use "has been seeking" when describing an effort that spans from the past into the present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been pursuing

Focuses on the active effort to achieve something, emphasizing the chase.

has been trying to obtain

Highlights the effort to get or acquire something.

has been attempting to secure

Emphasizes the effort to make something safe or certain.

has been working towards

Highlights the continuous effort toward a goal.

has been aiming for

Focuses on the goal or target.

has been in the process of acquiring

Emphasizes the process of getting something.

has set out to find

Implies a deliberate start to a search.

has been endeavoring to gain

Highlights the effort and determination to achieve a goal.

has been looking to acquire

Focuses on a desire or intention to obtain.

has felt the need to search

Indicates a necessity or compelling reason to search.

FAQs

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

Use "has been seeking" to describe an ongoing effort to find or obtain something. For example, "The organization has been seeking funding for its new project."

What are some alternatives to "has been seeking"?

You can use alternatives like "has been pursuing", "has been trying to obtain", or "has been attempting to secure", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "has sought" instead of "has been seeking"?

"Has sought" implies a completed action, while "has been seeking" suggests an ongoing or recently finished effort. Use "has sought" when the search is over. For example, "The company has sought legal advice on the matter."

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

"Has been seeking" implies that the action started in the past and may continue, while "is seeking" describes an action happening in the present. For example, "The university is seeking qualified candidates for the position now", but "The university has been seeking qualified candidates for the position for the past month."