have been emphasizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been emphasizing" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is often used to describe a continuous or ongoing action of emphasizing something. Example: The teacher has been emphasizing the importance of studying for the upcoming exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

He should have been emphasizing more the economic successes of the administration.

The New York Times

Moreover, both executives have been emphasizing services over tangible products in all their businesses.

The New York Times

Although both candidates have similar views on a host of issues, they have been emphasizing different themes in their campaigns.

The New York Times

We have been emphasizing the need for all managers to get deeply into all five mind-sets.

Harvard Business Review

Spurred by Europeans' disdain for overly restored cars, concours officials have been emphasizing more original-condition, or preservation, vehicles.

The New York Times

That's a great headline and PR win for climate change advocates, confirming a narrative that advocates have been emphasizing for years.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

What other areas have been emphasized?

The New York Times

Recently, these diagnosis systems have been emphasized, particularly in smart grid environments.

Electric Power Systems Research

Third, the dual functions of α-1,3-glucan have been emphasized.

Nature

Physical exercise and dietary protein have been emphasized in prevention and treatment of these conditions.

European Geriatric Medicine

Some limitations have been emphasized.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been emphasizing" to describe an ongoing or repeated action of highlighting the importance of something. For instance, "The instructors have been emphasizing the need for students to practice regularly."

Common error

Avoid using "have been emphasizing" when referring to a single, completed action. For example, instead of saying "They have been emphasizing the point yesterday", use "They emphasized the point yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been emphasizing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and continues into the present, highlighting the ongoing nature of the emphasis. Ludwig confirms the correct use of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been emphasizing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to indicate an ongoing or repeated action of stressing something's importance. While versatile enough for neutral contexts like news reporting, it appears also in scientific and business publications. The phrase effectively communicates continued relevance, making it a valuable tool in writing and speech. To diversify expression, consider alternatives such as "have been highlighting" or "have been stressing", as appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been highlighting

Similar in meaning, but implies making something stand out more visually or noticeably.

have been stressing

Conveys a sense of urgency or importance, often used when there is a potential negative consequence if something is not considered.

have been underscoring

Similar to emphasizing, but more formal and emphatic.

have been focusing on

Indicates a concentration of attention or effort on a particular thing.

have been giving prominence to

More formal way of saying emphasizing, indicating importance or priority.

have been accentuating

Suggests drawing attention to a particular aspect or detail.

have been foregrounding

Places something in the forefront or makes it the most important thing.

have been pushing

Implies promoting or advocating for something strongly.

have been dwelling on

Implies spending a lot of time talking or thinking about something.

have been harping on

Suggests repeatedly mentioning or emphasizing something, often in an annoying way.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been emphasizing" to describe a continuous or repeated action of stressing the importance of something. For example, "The company's marketing team "have been emphasizing" the product's eco-friendly features in their recent campaigns."

What are some alternatives to "have been emphasizing"?

Alternatives include "have been highlighting", "have been stressing", or "have been underscoring", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "has been emphasizing" instead of "have been emphasizing"?

No, "has been emphasizing" is used with singular subjects, while "have been emphasizing" is used with plural subjects or the pronoun "you". For example, "He has been emphasizing the importance of teamwork," but "They "have been emphasizing" the need for collaboration."

What's the difference between "have been emphasizing" and "emphasized"?

"Have been emphasizing" indicates an ongoing or repeated action, while "emphasized" indicates a completed action. For example, "The report "have been emphasizing" the need for more resources over the past year" (ongoing), but "The report emphasized the need for more resources" (completed action).