has been withholding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been withholding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been intentionally keeping information or resources back from someone else over a period of time. Example: "The company has been withholding important data from the researchers, which has hindered their progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Congress, meanwhile, has been withholding more than $450 million in American aid.

The New York Times

But the department has been withholding the results since it released the scores three months ago.

The New York Times

Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, has been withholding supplies from the market.

The New York Times

It isn't working properly yet, and the government has been withholding about 15% of the monthly fee.

The Economist

The letter suggests he has been withholding payments and that he is in default of his agreement.

Independent

Finally, it requires the Pentagon to turn over the Red Cross reports on American military prisons it has been withholding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Her name has been withheld pending notification of her family.

The New York Times

(At Ghaith's request, her name has been withheld).

The New Yorker

"This tweet from @username has been withheld in: Thailand".

The New York Times - Tech

Its design has been withheld by the authorities.

The New York Times

The reporter's name has been withheld for security reasons.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been withholding", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being withheld and from whom. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "has been withholding" excessively in formal or academic writing where more precise and nuanced language may be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "has been retaining" or "has been failing to report" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been withholding" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been withholding" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of keeping something back. Ludwig AI data indicates it's grammatically correct and commonly found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider context and choose precise language, especially in formal settings. The frequency is common, mostly used in News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business writing, while other scientific contexts are rare. When using the phrase, ensure the object and subject are clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "has been holding back" or "has been delaying release of" for nuanced meanings. According to Ludwig, the phrase is perfectly fine to be used in written English and expresses the concept of intentionally keeping resources or information from someone over a certain period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been holding back

Replaces "withholding" with a more general term for keeping something back.

has been keeping secret

Focuses on the secrecy aspect of withholding information.

has been delaying release of

Emphasizes the act of postponing the release of something.

has been suppressing

Suggests a forceful prevention of information or resources from coming out.

has been failing to disclose

Highlights the lack of transparency in not revealing information.

has been keeping under wraps

Uses an idiomatic expression for keeping something secret or concealed.

has been sitting on

Informal way to express holding something without acting on it.

has been impeding the release of

Focuses on actively blocking the release of information or resources.

has been rationing

Implies a controlled distribution or restriction of resources.

has been curbing

Suggests a limitation or restraint on the availability of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "has been withholding" to describe a situation where someone is intentionally keeping something back. For instance, "The company "has been withholding" crucial data from the public."

What are some alternatives to "has been withholding"?

Alternatives include phrases like "has been holding back", "has been keeping secret", or "has been delaying release of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "has withheld" or "has been withholding"?

"Has withheld" implies a completed action, while ""has been withholding"" suggests a continuous action over a period. The choice depends on whether the withholding is ongoing or finished.

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

"Has been withholding" implies the action started in the past and continues to the present, whereas "is withholding" refers to an action happening currently. "The government "has been withholding" funds" indicates a past and present action, while "The government is withholding funds" refers only to the present.