have been combining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been combining" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in contexts involving mixing or merging elements. Example: "We have been combining different ingredients to create a unique flavor for our new dish."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Argentina-based producers have been combining cumbia with genres like house, dancehall, hyphy and dubstep.

The Guardian - Music

They're among 15 Giants who have been combining the two at Fairleigh Dickinson.

The New York Times - Sports

Swiss private banks, which manage about a third of the world's private wealth deposited in foreign accounts, have been combining amid rising costs and competition.

The New York Times

According to Douglas A. Lauffenburger, director of the Biological Engineering Division, MIT researchers have been combining biology with engineering disciplines for about 40 years.

MIT Technology Review

Family-based linkage analysis and population-based association studies have been combining successfully as the workhorses for hunting disease genes in the past decades and are performed concurrently.

Current Orthopaedics

Lately we have been combining all three methods: I present a very crude idea in clay, that is then digitally and accurately interpreted in Rhino 3D, with the linear elements superimposed using Sketch Up.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Disney and Fox have been combined.

The Washington Post

The remaining apartments have been combined into 49 larger ones.

The New York Times

Impedance measurements have been combined with ellipsometric measurements.

Electrochimica Acta

In the same way, many materials have been combined.

Design Engineering

To achieve this, under the hood two very different sources of data have been combined.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To increase readability, when "have been combining" is followed by a long list of items, consider rephrasing for conciseness. For example, instead of "The chef has been combining salt, pepper, garlic, and rosemary", use "The chef has been combining various spices."

Common error

Avoid using "have been combining" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead of "They have been combining the ingredients yesterday", use "They combined the ingredients yesterday" to accurately reflect the timing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been combining" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that began in the past and is still in progress or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

41%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been combining" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that indicates an ongoing action of merging or integrating elements from the past to the present. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across different contexts. Primarily found in News & Media and Scientific sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of writing styles. When using "have been combining", it's important to ensure the context reflects an ongoing process, avoid using it for completed past actions, and consider synonyms like "have been merging" or "have been integrating" for nuanced meanings. The phrase's versatility and clarity make it a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been merging

This phrase focuses on the action of uniting or blending distinct entities into a single whole, emphasizing the result of the combination.

have been integrating

This suggests a process of incorporating different elements so they function as a coordinated whole, highlighting functionality and synergy.

have been blending

This emphasizes the smooth mixture of different qualities or things, creating a harmonious result, more focused on aesthetics or seamlessness.

have been mixing

Focuses on the action of putting different things together, often without a specific goal or result in mind, suggesting a less structured combination.

have been incorporating

Implies including something as part of a larger whole, often as a necessary or integral component.

have been unifying

Suggests bringing together diverse elements to create a sense of oneness or harmony, focusing on the cohesive result.

have been amalgamating

Indicates a merging or uniting of different elements into a cohesive structure, frequently related to business or organizations.

have been consolidating

Implies strengthening or reinforcing by combining elements, typically to improve efficiency or control.

have been synthesising

Suggests combining different ideas or information to create something new, focused on intellectual creation or understanding.

have been interweaving

This denotes a complex and intricate method of combining, closely connecting different aspects, resulting in a dense and inseparable composite.

FAQs

How do I use "have been combining" in a sentence?

Use "have been combining" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "The artists "have been combining" traditional techniques with modern technology to create unique artworks."

What are some alternatives to "have been combining"?

You can use phrases like "have been merging", "have been integrating", or "have been blending" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been combined" instead of "have been combining"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, they have different meanings. "Have been combined" indicates a completed action, whereas ""have been combining"" implies an ongoing process.

What is the difference between "have been combining" and "are combining"?

"Are combining" describes an action happening now, whereas ""have been combining"" describes an action that began in the past and continues to the present. For example, "They are combining efforts today" vs. "They "have been combining" efforts for several years".