have been assisting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been assisting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present, often in a professional or supportive context. Example: "I have been assisting the team with their project for the past month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The South Africans have been assisting the other side since the beginning of the war.

The New York Times

England, Japan and the Scandinavian countries have been assisting as well, and could do more.

The New York Times

British and US special forces have been assisting the Nigerian military.

The Guardian

Investigators in the Eastern District of Virginia have been assisting with the Russia investigation.

The Washington Post

Since February, the municipal authorities have been assisting the beach cleanup on weekends, and from June began sending machines.

The Guardian

British and US special forces have been assisting the Nigerian military in their campaign against Boko Haram.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

In 10 years, just 341 people have been assisted to die.

The Guardian

He thought they might have been assisted by the United States military.

The New York Times - Magazine

They have been assisted by globalisation and more competition, which have helped to hold down prices.

The Economist

In contrast, only 61.4 percent of Curry's 3-pointers have been assisted.

The New York Times

On more than one occasion, we have been assisted by good citizens with arms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been assisting" to describe ongoing support or aid that started in the past and continues to the present. This emphasizes the duration and continuity of the assistance.

Common error

While "have been assisting" is grammatically sound, excessive use of passive voice can make your writing less direct. Consider rephrasing with an active voice construction where appropriate to improve clarity and impact. For example, instead of "The team have been assisting the new recruits" try "The team assisted the new recruits."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been assisting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that began in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig examples show its wide applicability. This is further confirmed by Ludwig AI which indicates correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

The New York Times - Magazine

1%

The Guardian - Opinion

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been assisting" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe ongoing support or aid that began in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. Its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific sources, as highlighted by Ludwig examples, underscores its broad applicability. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "have been helping" or "have been supporting", while being mindful of the nuance each offers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been helping

This alternative is a more general and widely understood term for providing assistance.

have been supporting

This alternative emphasizes providing encouragement or resources, not just direct aid.

have been aiding

This alternative is a slightly more formal synonym for assisting, often used in official contexts.

have been lending a hand

This alternative is more informal, suggesting a willingness to help with a task.

have been contributing to

This alternative highlights the act of giving or adding something to a common effort.

have been collaborating with

This alternative emphasizes working jointly with others towards a common goal.

have been facilitating

This alternative focuses on making a process or activity easier.

have been serving

This alternative implies a more formal or official role in providing assistance.

have been backing

This alternative suggests providing financial or political support.

have been reinforcing

This alternative focuses on strengthening or supporting something that already exists.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been assisting" to describe an ongoing action of providing help or support that started in the past and is still continuing. For example, "The medical staff "have been assisting" patients since the beginning of the pandemic."

What are some alternatives to "have been assisting"?

Some alternatives to "have been assisting" include "have been helping", "have been supporting", or "have been aiding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been assist" instead of "have been assisting"?

No, "have been assist" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "have been assisting", which uses the present participle form of the verb 'assist' to indicate a continuous action.

What's the difference between "have been assisting" and "assisted"?

"Have been assisting" indicates an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "assisted" indicates a completed action. For example, "They "have been assisting" the project since last month" implies the assistance is still ongoing. "They assisted the project last month" implies the assistance is completed.