have been engaging

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been engaging" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or involvement that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been engaging with our community to better understand their needs and concerns."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

China has not been engaging in "trade" with us, they have been engaging in something else entirely...

Huffington Post

Brandis said green groups have been engaging in "lawfare".

The Guardian

"Could Ret have been engaging in a little prepublication blackmail?" Rannie wonders.

The New York Times - Books

Even many normally surly locals have been engaging in casual conversation.

The Economist

"They have been engaging in the politics of exile," Mr. Jayatilleka said.

The New York Times

Syrian insurgents have been engaging with loyalist forces near Azmerin for days.

The New York Times

We have been engaging in our legitimate right to free speech and expression.

The Guardian - Opinion

We're also aware that there are people out there who have been engaging in Islamophobia.

The Guardian

"You have been engaging in a way of life that involves deceiving and defrauding people on quite a sophisticated level".

The New York Times

Along with nominees of other, smaller groups, these candidates have been engaging in televised debates around Europe.

The Economist

Moskin and I have been engaging in cook fights as long as we have known each other.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been engaging" to describe a continuous or repeated action that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example: "We "have been engaging" with stakeholders to gather feedback."

Common error

Avoid switching tenses mid-sentence when using "have been engaging". Ensure the rest of the sentence maintains the same timeframe. For example, instead of "They "have been engaging" in discussions, and a decision was made", use "They "have been engaging" in discussions, and a decision has been reached".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been engaging" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. Ludwig's examples show it describes actions that started in the past and continue into the present. It indicates ongoing involvement or interaction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been engaging" is a grammatically sound and frequently used present perfect continuous verb construction. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys ongoing involvement or continuous interaction that began in the past and extends to the present. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and formal business contexts underscores its versatility. When using this phrase, maintaining consistent tense and choosing contextually appropriate synonyms like "have been participating" or "have been involved in" can enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been participating

Replaces "engaging" with a more general term for taking part in something.

have been involved in

Focuses on being connected to or included in an activity.

have been taking part in

Similar to participating, but emphasizes the action of joining in.

have been occupied with

Highlights the dedication of time and attention to a particular activity.

have been immersed in

Suggests a deep and thorough involvement in something.

have been occupied in

Highlights the dedication of time and attention to a particular activity.

have been active in

Emphasizes the state of being dynamic and contributing to an activity.

have been dealing with

Focuses on handling or addressing a particular issue or situation.

have been addressing

Highlights the act of solving problems.

have been tackling

Emphasizes actively confronting a challenge or problem.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been engaging" indicates a continuous action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The company "have been engaging" with customers to improve their services."

What are some alternatives to "have been engaging"?

You can use alternatives like "have been participating", "have been involved in", or "have been taking part in" depending on the specific context.

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

No, "has been engaging" is used with singular subjects, while "have been engaging" is used with plural subjects or the pronouns "I", "you", "we", and "they". For instance, "He has been engaging" is correct, while "They "have been engaging"" is correct.

What is the difference between "have been engaging" and "engaged"?

"Have been engaging" suggests a continuous or repeated action over a period, whereas "engaged" typically indicates a single instance or a general state of involvement. For example, "They "have been engaging" with the community for years" versus "They are now engaged in the project".