has been working on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been working on' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to describe an ongoing or continuing process or action. For example, "He has been working on his thesis for the past two months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

McGuff has been working on it.

The New York Times - Sports

He has been working on a memoir.

The New Yorker

The government has been working on solutions.

The Guardian - Money

(The Fed has been working on it).

The New York Times

Singhal has been working on that.

The Guardian - Tech

Lately, he has been working on customer diversification.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

That's something we've been working on consistently".

BBC

"I've been working on them.

The New York Times

"We have been working on this.

The New York Times

"We have been working on this awhile.

The New York Times - Tech

"I've been working on my Kickstarter".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been working on", ensure the context clearly indicates the ongoing nature of the work. Specify a timeframe or expected outcome for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "has been working on" without providing sufficient context about the project or task. Readers may not understand the significance or duration of the effort without additional information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been working on" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes ongoing processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been working on" is a present perfect progressive verb phrase used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. To improve clarity in your writing, provide specific context. Alternatives like "has been developing" or "has been engaged in" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, suitable for various types of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been developing

Focuses more specifically on the creation or evolution of something.

has been developing

Suggests a focus on the creation or improvement of something.

has been engaged in

Indicates active participation or involvement in something.

has been involved in

Highlights participation or connection to a project or activity.

has been dedicated to

Emphasizes commitment and focus on a particular goal or task.

has been focused on

Highlights concentration and effort directed towards a specific area.

has been pursuing

Implies actively seeking or striving towards a particular objective.

has been striving for

Suggests continuous effort and ambition in achieving a goal.

has undertaken

Implies starting or committing to a particular task or project.

has been busy with

Indicates that someone is actively doing or concentrating on something.

FAQs

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

Use "has been working on" to describe a continuous action or project that someone started in the past and is still doing. For example, "The team "has been working on" the new software update for six months".

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

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "has been developing", "has been engaged in", or "has been dedicated to".

Is it correct to say "has been work on" instead of "has been working on"?

No, "has been work on" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is ""has been working on"", which uses the present participle "working".

What's the difference between "has worked on" and "has been working on"?

"Has worked on" implies a completed task or project, whereas ""has been working on"" indicates that the task or project is still in progress.