has been working hard

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'has been working hard' is a grammatically correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to indicate an ongoing and sustained effort. For example, "John has been working hard to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Frost has been working hard.

The New York Times - Sports

The scientific community has been working hard to change that.

The New York Times

China has been working hard to remedy this.

The Economist

The SEC has been working hard to beef up enforcement.

The Economist

Putin has been working hard to achieve just this end.

The Washington Post

Reil says NaturalMotion has been working hard to avoid that.

The Guardian - Tech

"He has been working hard,"' Devils Coach Pat Burns said.

The New York Times - Sports

But Disney has been working hard to improve its image.

The New York Times

Since then, the Honig Lab has been working hard to improve PrePPI's scope and usefulness.

Columbia University

Rec Sports has been working hard to create increased access and programs for students with disabilities.

University of California, Berkeley

Ever since then, the new pope has been working hard to get the curia under control.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been working hard", ensure the context clearly indicates the period over which the effort has been sustained. For example, "She has been working hard all semester to improve her grades."

Common error

Avoid using "has been working hard" when referring to a single, completed action. Use the simple past tense instead. For example, say "He worked hard on the project" rather than "He has been working hard on the project" if the project is finished.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been working hard" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been working hard" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe sustained effort over a period. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely used in news, academic, and scientific contexts, reflecting its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical structure. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the duration of the effort. Consider alternatives such as "has been toiling diligently" or "has been striving earnestly" to add nuance to your writing. Avoid misusing the tense by ensuring it aligns with the intended meaning and timeframe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been toiling diligently

Replaces "working hard" with "toiling diligently" emphasizing persistent and careful effort.

has been laboring intensely

Substitutes "working hard" with "laboring intensely", highlighting the intensity and effort involved.

has been striving earnestly

Replaces "working hard" with "striving earnestly", focusing on sincere and dedicated effort toward a goal.

has been dedicating considerable effort

Rephrases "working hard" to "dedicating considerable effort", emphasizing the commitment of time and energy.

has been applying themselves assiduously

Replaces "working hard" with "applying themselves assiduously", highlighting consistent and careful attention to tasks.

has been putting in serious elbow grease

Uses the idiom "putting in serious elbow grease" instead of "working hard", emphasizing physical effort and hard manual work.

has been exerting great effort

Replaces "working hard" with "exerting great effort", emphasizing the amount of energy expended.

has been industrious

A shorter alternative that describes someone being constantly and productively busy, instead of "working hard".

has been giving it their all

This alternative implies that someone is dedicating all of their energy and resources to achieving a goal, similar to "working hard".

has been going the extra mile

This alternative signifies exceeding expectations and putting in more effort than required, aligning with the concept of "working hard".

FAQs

How can I use "has been working hard" in a sentence?

Use "has been working hard" to describe a sustained effort over a period. For example, "The team "has been working hard" to meet the deadline."

What are some alternatives to "has been working hard"?

You can use alternatives like "has been toiling diligently", "has been laboring intensely", or "has been striving earnestly" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "has worked hard" and "has been working hard"?

"Has worked hard" implies a completed action with a focus on the result, while ""has been working hard"" emphasizes the ongoing process and sustained effort.

Is it correct to say "have been working hard" instead of "has been working hard"?

Yes, but the correct form depends on the subject. Use "have been working hard" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have been working hard") and ""has been working hard"" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has been working hard").