have been devising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been devising" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing process of planning or creating something over a period of time. Example: "We have been devising a new strategy to improve our marketing efforts for the past few months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Since taking on the project, she and Grose have been devising their own rules.

Independent

Meanwhile, many on the left have been devising new policies backed by increased government spending.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ever since Hughes won a rotation spot in spring training, the Yankees have been devising a plan for him.

The New York Times - Sports

In parallel to the rail-link fracas, some of Hong Kong's democrats have been devising a new form of protest.

The Economist

So airlines and holiday firms have been devising policies as they go along, focusing on people booked to travel imminently.

Independent

Over the last few years, the Roman Curialists would seem to have been devising a plan to give themselves absolute control over the Church's intellectual life.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Fortunately, some solutions have been devised.

The Guardian - Opinion

Historically, they have been devised by trial and error.

The Economist

Many significant mechanical methods of transcription have been devised.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Detailed country programmes have been devised for Iraq, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Albania and Ukraine.

The Guardian

Others have been devised to subdue insurgencies or political opposition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been devising" to describe a prolonged and ongoing process of creating or inventing something, especially when it involves problem-solving or strategic planning.

Common error

Avoid using "have been devising" to describe actions that have already been completed. Instead, use "devised" or "had been devising" to indicate a finished action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been devising" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been devising" is a grammatically correct and common verb phrase used to describe an ongoing process of creating or planning. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's particularly suited for professional and news contexts, indicating a sustained effort towards a specific goal. While alternatives like "have been planning" or "have been creating" exist, they may not fully capture the nuanced meaning of inventive problem-solving that "have been devising" conveys.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been planning

Focuses more specifically on the planning aspect, omitting the implication of active creation or invention.

have been creating

Highlights the creation aspect, putting less emphasis on the strategic or inventive nature.

have been developing

Emphasizes the process of gradual improvement and evolution of something.

have been formulating

Suggests a more structured and systematic approach to creating something, often a plan or strategy.

have been conceiving

Implies the generation of an idea or concept, often with a creative or imaginative element.

have been designing

Focuses on the structural and functional aspects of creating something, often with a specific purpose in mind.

have been inventing

Highlights the creation of something entirely new, rather than modifying or adapting existing ideas.

have been contriving

Suggests a clever or inventive, but potentially artificial or manipulative, way of creating something.

have been arranging

Focuses on the organization and ordering of elements to achieve a specific purpose or outcome.

have been scheming

Implies a secret or underhanded plan, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

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

"Have been devising" indicates an ongoing process of creating or planning. For example, "The team "have been devising" a new marketing strategy for the upcoming quarter."

What can I say instead of "have been devising"?

Alternatives include "have been planning", "have been creating", or "have been developing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "have been devising" or "are devising"?

"Have been devising" implies a process that started in the past and continues to the present. "Are devising" suggests a more immediate, present action. The correct choice depends on the context.

What is the difference between "have been devising" and "had been devising"?

"Have been devising" connects the action to the present, while "had been devising" places the action entirely in the past. For example, "They "have been devising" a solution" suggests the process is ongoing. "They had been devising a solution before the problem was solved" indicates the devising occurred in the past.