has not been doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has not been doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state that has not occurred up to the present moment. Example: "She has not been doing her homework regularly, which is affecting her grades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has not been doing a very good job.

The Economist

By most measures, Mr Simitis has not been doing badly.

The Economist

What Lynch has not been doing, though, is making movies.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nature, it seems, has not been doing its part.

The New York Times

He has not been doing this very long.

The Guardian

But I am pretty sure from looking at it that Simon has not been doing "work".

The New Yorker

Even gold, usually a refuge, has not been doing that well.

The Economist

The bank has not been doing as well as its competitors.

The Economist

But he has not been doing that in what he has been saying today.

The Guardian

In the Long Jump Greg Rutherford has not been doing so well.

The Guardian - Sport

And the problem — the problem is the commander in chief has not been doing his".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has not been doing", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or task is not being performed. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses within a sentence. If you start with "has not been doing", maintain a consistent past perfect or present perfect continuous tense throughout the related clauses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has not been doing" functions as a verb phrase expressing a negative present perfect continuous aspect. It indicates that an action or activity has not been in progress up to the present moment. Ludwig examples show its use in describing unfulfilled expectations and missed opportunities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has not been doing" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the lack of ongoing action or achievement up to the present. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, this phrase serves to point out shortcomings, failures, or unmet expectations. When writing, ensure clear context to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""hasn't been performing"" or ""has not been achieving"" for increased formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hasn't been performing

Uses "performing" instead of "doing", implying a specific activity or role.

has not been achieving

Focuses on the lack of accomplishment or results.

has not been executing

Emphasizes a failure to carry out a plan or task.

has failed to do

Indicates a complete lack of action or fulfillment.

is not currently doing

Highlights the present lack of action.

has not undertaken

Suggests a lack of initiative or beginning an activity.

has not been handling

Emphasizes the lack of managing or dealing with something.

is not fulfilling

Focuses on not meeting expectations or requirements.

has been remiss in

Indicates negligence or failure to perform a duty.

has been deficient in

Highlights a lack of necessary qualities or elements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "has not been doing" to sound more formal?

Consider using more formal alternatives like "has not been performing", "has not been executing", or "has failed to do" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "has not been doing" and "is not doing"?

Yes, "has not been doing" implies an action that was expected or intended to be ongoing but isn't, while "is not doing" simply states that an action isn't happening at the present moment. The former suggests a duration and potential expectation, while the latter is more immediate and neutral.

What are some common contexts where "has not been doing" is used?

This phrase is commonly used in contexts where assessing performance or activity over a period of time is important. Examples include evaluating job performance, assessing market trends, or discussing the effectiveness of a strategy. For example: "The company "has not been achieving" its sales targets this quarter."

Can "has not been doing" be used to describe a general state of inactivity?

Yes, although it's more precise when referring to a specific activity or role, it can also describe a more general state. For instance, "He "hasn't been performing" well lately" suggests a decline in overall activity or effectiveness.