have been designing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been designing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in the context of work or projects. Example: "I have been designing a new website for our company over the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They have been designing tattoos for two years.

Independent

Keep in mind that I have been designing Chuck's covers for the past seven years.

The New Yorker

The cart that they have been designing can angle its display to attract customers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

THEY have been designing and building Web sites since 1994, the proverbial dawn of the Internet age.

The New York Times

To solve the riddle of building-before-machine, the engineers have been designing special portals throughout the structure.

The New Yorker

But all the big trucks have overshadowed a more hopeful trend: the automakers have been designing cool cars again.

The New York Times - Magazine

And these people are fools, who for the last 30 years have been designing the wrong sort of games.

The Guardian - Tech

And these people are fools, who for the last 30 years have been designing the wrong sort of games.

The Guardian - Tech

Alistair Langhorne and Claire Bunten, directors of LAB Architects, have been designing basements in the Boltons conservation area since 2008.

The Guardian - Money

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the 2014 mandate, automakers have been designing models with camera systems in mind.

The New York Times

"Karen and I have been designing together for so long that there's a flow to it," Ms. Beamon said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been designing", ensure that the context clearly indicates an ongoing process that started in the past and continues to the present. For example: "We "have been designing" a new user interface for the past six months."

Common error

Avoid using "have been designing" when referring to a design process that has already been completed. Instead, use "designed" or "had designed". For example, instead of "We "have been designing" the brochure last week", say "We designed the brochure last week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been designing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. This indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. According to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used. Examples from Ludwig show the phrase in various contexts, emphasizing the continuous nature of the design process.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

32%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been designing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that indicates an ongoing action that started in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It's commonly found in news, science, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the context reflects an uncompleted process. Alternatives like ""have been creating"" or ""have been developing"" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid using it for actions that have already been completed; in those cases, "designed" or "had designed" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been creating

Replaces "designing" with a more general term for making something new.

have been developing

Suggests a more elaborate and gradual process of building or growing something.

have been engineering

Implies a technical and systematic design approach.

have been crafting

Emphasizes the skill and artistry involved in the design process.

have been formulating

Highlights the conceptual and planning aspects of design.

have been devising

Focuses on inventing or planning something cleverly.

have been inventing

Highlights the innovative aspect of design.

have been planning

Emphasizes the initial stages of design and preparation.

have been shaping

Implies influencing the final form or outcome of something.

have been conceiving

Focuses on the mental process of forming an idea or design.

FAQs

How do I use "have been designing" correctly in a sentence?

Use "have been designing" to describe an ongoing design process that started in the past and is still continuing. For example: "The team "have been designing" a new marketing campaign since January."

What are some alternatives to "have been designing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been creating", "have been developing", or "have been engineering".

What's the difference between "have been designing" and "designed"?

"Have been designing" implies an ongoing process, while "designed" indicates that the design process is complete. For example, "They "have been designing" the product for months" versus "They designed the product last year".

When is it incorrect to use "have been designing"?

It is incorrect to use "have been designing" when referring to a design process that has already concluded. In such cases, use the past simple tense "designed" or the past perfect tense "had designed" instead.