have been demonstrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been demonstrating" is grammatically correct and is commonly used in written English.
It is used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and is still continuing at the present time. Example: The students have been demonstrating their knowledge of math skills for the past month in preparation for the upcoming standardized test.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Iranians here have been demonstrating in very large numbers continuously.

The New York Times

In solidarity with Muslims, some citizens have been demonstrating in European cities.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The leading economic indicators have been demonstrating consistently slower growth, but it is not in contraction".

The New York Times

A diverse group of governors, mayors, and CEOs have been demonstrating what a bold response to climate change looks like.

Yale University

Of course, the Williamses have been demonstrating their drawing power among black celebrities at tournaments all year.

The New York Times - Style

Since 2004, activists have been demonstrating outside the EDO factory in Brighton because its products have been used in Iraq.

The Guardian

Twelve employees have been demonstrating outside the lumberyard since October, after months of dispute over a new contract.

The New York Times

For over a century, Americans have been demonstrating remarkable ingenuity in turning money into meaningful personal gifts.

The New York Times

Mr. Heins and other executives at RIM have been demonstrating the units for months to a variety of audiences.

The New York Times - Tech

Even students at the university, usually an apathetic bunch, have been demonstrating against a summer work programme.

The Economist

If I hadn't realized this, would I have been demonstrating an "illiterate" or "non-literate" practice associated with cutting and pasting?

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been demonstrating" to describe an ongoing process where evidence or actions are continuously showing a particular quality or result. For example, "The company's profits have been demonstrating consistent growth over the past five years."

Common error

Avoid using "have been demonstrating" when referring to a single, completed event in the past. Instead, use the simple past tense, such as "demonstrated". For example, instead of saying "The software has been demonstrating its capabilities yesterday", say "The software demonstrated its capabilities yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been demonstrating" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that began in the past, has continued over a period of time, and is still relevant or has recently concluded. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its consistent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been demonstrating" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue to the present. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and business settings. While alternatives like "have been showing" or "have been displaying" can be used, "have been demonstrating" specifically emphasizes the continuous and evidential nature of the action. Remember to use the simple past tense for single, completed events to avoid tense errors. Its prevalence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been showcasing

Replaces "demonstrating" with a term that emphasizes displaying something attractively.

have been displaying

Substitutes "demonstrating" with a more general term for showing something.

have been illustrating

Uses "illustrating" to suggest that examples are being provided to clarify something.

have been proving

Emphasizes the act of confirming or verifying something over time.

have been indicating

Implies that signs or evidence have been pointing towards something.

have been exhibiting

Similar to "displaying" but often used in a more formal or artistic context.

have been manifesting

Suggests that something abstract is becoming apparent or visible.

have been evidencing

A more formal synonym for "showing", emphasizing the presence of evidence.

have been reflecting

Indicates that something is mirroring or showing the effects of something else.

have been embodying

Suggests that something is a tangible representation of an idea or quality.

FAQs

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

Use "have been demonstrating" to describe a continuous action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently finished. For instance, "Researchers "have been demonstrating" the effectiveness of the new treatment over the past year".

What are some alternatives to "have been demonstrating"?

You can use alternatives like "have been showing", "have been displaying", or "have been illustrating" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have demonstrated" instead of "have been demonstrating"?

Both phrases are correct but have different meanings. "Have demonstrated" implies a completed action, while ""have been demonstrating"" suggests an ongoing or recently completed action. Choose the phrase that best fits the timeline of the event you are describing.

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

"Have been demonstrating" connects the action to a period of time leading up to the present, whereas "are demonstrating" focuses on the current action. For instance, "They have been demonstrating the product for weeks" versus "They are demonstrating the product now".