have been assembling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been assembling" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in contexts related to construction, gathering, or putting together items. Example: "We have been assembling the new furniture for the office all morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

In Moscow, they have been assembling in Triumfalnaya Square, from which they have been repeatedly banned.

The Guardian - Opinion

Behind the scenes, Mr. Bush's advisers have been assembling the framework for the 2004 campaign.

The New York Times

So we will very much be back to this space where people have been assembling for 800 years next year.

The Guardian

The protesters then moved on to University Square, where people have been assembling daily since 13 January.

The Guardian

As part of the SAGES project, Pauline Barmby and I have been assembling improved data on globular clusters in spiral galaxies.

Harvard University

Q. Are you referring to the fact that fans, using bootlegged outtakes, have been assembling their own reconstructions of "Smile" for the last few decades? A. Yes, bootleggery.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

These are what have been assembled here.

The New York Times

The first prototype modules have been assembled.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

student committees have been assembled for each search.

Cornell University

(Whether they have been assembled is anyone's guess).

The New York Times

The devices would have been assembled during the flight.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been assembling" to describe a process that started in the past and is still ongoing, especially when referring to the collection or construction of something.

Common error

Avoid using "have been assembling" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, use "assembled" or "had assembled" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been assembling" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and is still in progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing this ongoing nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been assembling" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing processes of gathering, constructing, or preparing. It's frequently encountered in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts and considered grammatically correct by Ludwig. Related phrases like "have been putting together" or "have been compiling" can be suitable alternatives depending on the context. Remember to avoid using it for completed actions. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, making it a reliable choice for describing ongoing activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been putting together

Replaces "assembling" with a more informal verb, maintaining the sense of constructing something.

have been constructing

Highlights the building or creation aspect of the phrase.

have been gathering

Focuses on the act of collecting items, rather than constructing or creating.

have been building up

Suggests a gradual accumulation or development over time.

have been compiling

Emphasizes collecting information or data into a structured format.

have been creating

Broadly describes the act of bringing something new into existence.

have been developing

Focuses on growth and progress in the process of assembling.

have been preparing

Shifts the focus to the act of getting ready or making arrangements.

have been organizing

Highlights the act of structuring or arranging elements systematically.

have been fabricating

Implies manufacturing or creating something, often with intricate detail.

FAQs

How can I use "have been assembling" in a sentence?

Use "have been assembling" to describe an ongoing process of gathering or constructing something, like "The team "have been assembling" data for the report for the past month."

What's the difference between "have been assembling" and "assembled"?

"Have been assembling" indicates an ongoing process, while "assembled" suggests a completed action. For example, "They "have been assembling" the furniture all day" (ongoing), versus "They assembled the furniture yesterday" (completed).

What are some alternatives to "have been assembling"?

You can use alternatives such as "have been putting together", "have been compiling", or "have been gathering" depending on the specific context.

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

Use "has been assembling" with singular subjects (e.g., "He has been assembling") and "have been assembling" with plural subjects (e.g., "They have been assembling").