have been continually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been continually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state that has persisted over a period of time without interruption. Example: "We have been continually improving our processes to enhance efficiency and productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since relaunching theguardian.com earlier this year, we have been continually working to ensure that the site continues to adapt and improve.

The Guardian

It continues to attract its share of visitors although the local authorities have been continually adding new restrictions on access.

Wikipedia

However, those that have to pay have been continually hit by fare rises above inflation.

The Guardian

But the government's efforts have been continually hampered by criminal gangs and insurgent groups.

The New York Times

God's efforts at "restoration," which require the intervention of a Messiah, have been continually thwarted.

Britannica

Staff members have been continually surprised by how attached patients have become.

The New York Times - Tech

I have been continually inspired and engaged by the brilliance and passion of our diverse doctoral and master's student populations.

University of California, Berkeley

And I have been continually pleased by the flavor of rich pecans in a buttery, translucent custard.

The New York Times - Food

Throughout the history of "Australia", the bodies of Aboriginal women have been continually used for political purposes.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But now that I have come, I have been continually amazed by how proficient and fast the crews are here".

The New York Times

"We have been continually refreshing our message" since 1998, he added, and the review "was part of that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been continually" to emphasize the uninterrupted nature of an ongoing process or action. It suggests a persistent effort or state without significant breaks.

Common error

Avoid using "have been continually" for simple actions that don't require emphasis on the continuous nature. Opt for simpler tenses like "is happening" or "was occurring" when the continuous aspect is not crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been continually" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing or repeated action. It combines the auxiliary verbs "have been" with the adverb "continually" to emphasize the sustained and uninterrupted nature of the action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been continually" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate ongoing actions or processes that have persisted over time without significant interruption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence across various contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase functions to emphasize the sustained nature of an action. For situations where a different nuance is desired, alternatives like "have been consistently" or "have been repeatedly" can be used. While generally suitable for neutral to formal registers, it's important to avoid overuse in simple continuous actions where simpler tenses might suffice. With its widespread use and clear grammatical function, "have been continually" remains a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been consistently

Replaces "continually" with "consistently", emphasizing a regular and unwavering pattern.

have been constantly

Substitutes "continually" with "constantly", highlighting an uninterrupted and persistent action.

have been repeatedly

Uses "repeatedly" instead of "continually", stressing the recurrent nature of the action.

have been always

Replaces "continually" with "always", indicating a perpetual and unbroken state.

have worked continually

Replaces "been" with "worked", suggesting active and persistent effort.

have been perpetually

Replaces "continually" with "perpetually", emphasizing an endless and ongoing action.

have been steadily

Uses "steadily" instead of "continually", highlighting a gradual but consistent progression.

have been incessantly

Substitutes "continually" with "incessantly", stressing the unceasing nature of the action.

have been persistently

Replaces "continually" with "persistently", underlining the determined and unwavering continuation of the action.

have been routinely

Uses "routinely" instead of "continually", highlighting that the action has become a regular occurrence or part of a procedure.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been continually" to describe an action or process that has been happening without stopping for an extended period. For instance, "The company's profits "have been continually" increasing due to effective marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "have been continually"?

Alternatives include "have been consistently", "have been constantly", or "have been repeatedly", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Each emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action, but with slight variations.

Is there a difference between "have been continually" and "have been continuously"?

While "have been continually" and "have been continuously" are very similar, "continually" often implies repeated occurrences with possible slight interruptions, whereas "continuously" suggests a truly uninterrupted process. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize potential minor breaks or a seamless, ongoing action.

When is it more appropriate to use "have been continually" over simpler tenses like "is always" or "keeps on"?

"Have been continually" is more appropriate when you want to highlight the prolonged and sustained nature of an action, especially over a significant period. Simpler tenses like "is always" or "keeps on" may be suitable for shorter or less formal contexts. For example, use "have been continually" in formal reports or analyses to emphasize the enduring aspect of the described trend.