have been containing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been containing" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe an ongoing action or state that started in the past and continues to the present, often in contexts related to holding or including something. Example: "The container has been containing the chemicals safely for over a year without any leaks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At the same time, the committee said, productivity improvements have been "containing costs and holding down underlying price pressures".

The New York Times

Although core measures of prices are rising slightly faster than a year ago, continuing rapid advances in productivity have been containing costs and holding down underlying price pressures.

The New York Times

I ask one of the lads sitting on the wall – who, at 25, has noticed the changing tide – why he thinks it's all kicking off this summer, when as recently as spring of 2016 the police appeared to have been containing it.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Thus far, moreover, they have been contained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hundreds of others have been contained or put out.

The New York Times

Could the outbreak have been contained much sooner?

The Guardian

Even then, the damage could have been contained.

The Economist

New details of what may have been contained in the laptop were reported by The Washington Post.

The New York Times

Remember all those months that the subprime problem was supposed to have been "contained"?

The New York Times

And in countries with an even moderately functional health system, it could have been contained.

The Guardian

We found that we did ask, repeatedly, for the kind of information that would have been contained in such videotapes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been containing" to describe an ongoing process of limiting or controlling something, particularly when emphasizing the continuous nature of the effort. For instance, "The organization's efforts have been containing the spread of misinformation through targeted campaigns."

Common error

Avoid using "have been containing" to describe a state that is inherently static or unchanging. This phrase implies an active, continuous process, not a fixed condition. For example, it would be incorrect to say "The box has been containing air" because containment is not an ongoing action in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been containing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing, emphasizing the continuous nature of the containment. Ludwig AI confirms this with examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been containing" is used to describe an ongoing effort to control or limit something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and typically found in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "have been controlling" or "have been managing" can be used, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the continuous nature of the phrase. Avoiding its misuse for static states will ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. The analysis shows that its usage, while grammatically sound, is relatively rare, making precise application essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been controlling

Focuses on the act of controlling something over time, emphasizing authority or influence.

have been managing

Highlights the ongoing effort to manage or handle a situation or resource.

have been curbing

Emphasizes the reduction or restraint of something undesirable.

have been restraining

Highlights the act of holding back or preventing something from progressing.

have been limiting

Focuses on setting boundaries or restrictions over a period.

have been suppressing

Implies actively preventing something from developing or being expressed.

have been holding back

Suggests preventing something from being released or revealed.

have been keeping in check

Emphasizes maintaining something under control to prevent it from escalating.

have been keeping under control

Focuses on maintaining control over a situation or entity.

have been mitigating

Highlights the effort to reduce the severity or impact of something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been containing" to describe an ongoing action of controlling or limiting something. For example, "The security measures "have been containing" the spread of the virus".

What are some alternatives to "have been containing"?

Alternatives include "have been controlling", "have been managing", or "have been limiting", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "had been containing" instead of "have been containing"?

While both are grammatically correct, "had been containing" places the action in the past relative to another past event, whereas ""have been containing"" connects the action to the present. For example, "They had been containing the fire before the rain started" versus "They "have been containing" the fire for hours".

Can "have been containing" be used in a passive voice?

Yes, it can, although it's less common. An example would be: "The outbreak "has been being contained" by the authorities".