have been chasing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been chasing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues into the present moment. Example: I have been chasing the rabbit through the meadow for what feels like hours.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been chasing fires ever since.

The New York Times

"So they have been chasing it a little bit.

Independent

I have been chasing the same buzz ever since.

The Guardian - Books

And members might as well have been chasing a ghost.

The New York Times

Look what you did!... Oh, Tony, I would have been chasing you around.

The New Yorker

The Wings have been chasing the Blues, who stand second in the West, with 109 points.

The New York Times

He told Sky Sports News: "Forest have been chasing George for a few weeks.

Independent

They thought they had their man, one of those superstars they have been chasing for years.

The Guardian - Sport

Negotiators have been chasing this will-o-the-wisp for over a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The shark could have been chasing a school of fish, lifeguards say.

The Guardian

West Ham have been chasing the defender Tal Ben Haim and the Nice striker Loïc Rémy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been chasing" to describe a sustained effort over time, such as "Researchers have been chasing a cure for the disease for decades."

Common error

Be careful not to use "have been chasing" when a simple past tense like "chased" is more appropriate. For example, say "The dog chased the squirrel yesterday" instead of "The dog has been chasing the squirrel yesterday" if the action is completed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been chasing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

25%

General

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been chasing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase denoting an ongoing pursuit that began in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatile application spans across diverse contexts, from the adrenaline-fueled world of sports to the relentless quest for scientific breakthroughs. While adaptable to both formal and informal registers, it's important to distinguish its continuous nature from completed actions described by the simple past tense. With its widespread presence in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "have been chasing" is a valuable asset for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been pursuing

Replaces "chasing" with "pursuing", emphasizing a determined effort to obtain something.

have been seeking

Substitutes "chasing" with "seeking", suggesting a more deliberate and thoughtful search.

have been hunting

Uses "hunting" instead of "chasing", implying a more intense and focused search, often for something elusive.

have been after

Replaces "chasing" with "after", offering a more colloquial alternative with a similar meaning.

have been striving for

Replaces "chasing" with "striving for", highlighting the effort and determination involved in achieving a goal.

have been working towards

Focuses on the continuous effort and progress being made towards a specific objective.

have been in pursuit of

A more formal and emphatic way of saying "have been chasing", highlighting a dedicated search.

have been trying to catch

Emphasizes the attempt to capture or obtain something that is moving away or difficult to reach.

have been following

Suggests a less aggressive form of pursuit, focusing on tracking or monitoring something.

have been shadowing

Implies a discreet and often secretive form of pursuit, focusing on closely following someone's movements.

FAQs

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

Use "have been chasing" to describe a continuous effort or pursuit over a period of time. For example, "The company "has been chasing" that contract for months."

What's the difference between "have been chasing" and "chased"?

"Have been chasing" indicates an ongoing action, while "chased" indicates a completed action. "They "have been chasing" the suspect for hours" means the pursuit is still happening. "They chased the suspect yesterday" means the pursuit is over.

What are some alternatives to "have been chasing"?

You can use phrases like "have been pursuing", "have been seeking", or "have been hunting" depending on the context.

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

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