have been functioning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been functioning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing state or action that started in the past and continues to the present. Example: "The system has been functioning smoothly since the last update."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The prostheses have been functioning for up to 6 years.

International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Offshore wind turbines have been functioning reliably in European waters since 1991.

The New York Times

Not in "ordaining" you into an intellectual profession — some of you have been functioning as scientists for many years.

Stanford University

America and its allies operate from bases around Falluja that have been functioning for almost a year.

The New York Times

Ashwer is a "prison village," modeled on the open prisons that have been functioning in India since the 1950s.

The New York Times - Books

Administration officials said it was unclear how many Al Qaeda members had been arrested in Iran, what their identities were and whether they included any of the top officials, who some believe have been functioning with Iranian acquiescence.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Three hospitals that had been functioning on our last visit had been destroyed by airstrikes.

The Guardian

But the government has been functioning more or less as it always has, she said.

The New York Times

It was started in 1929 & has been functioning every day since.

The New Yorker

"The world as it has been functioning is kind of crumbling," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We understand the global crisis that followed Sept. 11, but our airport had been functioning since 1957".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been functioning" to describe systems, processes, or entities that started operating in the past and continue to do so in the present.

Common error

Avoid using "have been functioning" when you actually mean "have been effective". Functioning simply means operating, while effective implies achieving a desired outcome. For example, a machine might have been functioning, but not effectively if it's producing flawed results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been functioning" serves as a present perfect continuous verb form. It indicates an action or process that began in the past and continues into the present. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes ongoing states or actions that started in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been functioning" is a present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe something that began working or operating in the past and continues to do so in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news and media and scientific contexts, conveying information about ongoing functionality. While the phrase is grammatically sound, it’s crucial to differentiate it from phrases such as "have been effective", ensuring that the intended meaning relates to ongoing operation rather than achieved outcomes. Alternatives include "have been operating" and "have been working" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been operating

This alternative emphasizes the act of working or running, often in a more mechanical or technical context. The similarity score is high due to the interchangeable nature of the words 'functioning' and 'operating'.

have been working

This is a general alternative that highlights the active engagement of something in achieving a task or maintaining a state. It's less formal than "functioning" but conveys a similar meaning.

have been running

This alternative suggests continuous operation, often implying a system or process that is ongoing. It is more dynamic than "functioning".

have been performing

This alternative emphasizes the execution of a specific role or task, suggesting a level of effectiveness or skill. It's suitable when focusing on how well something is working.

have been active

This alternative emphasizes the state of being in action or operation, highlighting the opposite of being dormant or inactive. It lacks the nuance of specific tasks.

have been effective

This alternative focuses on the success and impact of the function. It shifts the emphasis from the act of functioning to the result of that functioning.

have been maintained

This alternative indicates that something has been kept in a working state, suggesting effort or upkeep. It shifts the focus to preservation of functionality.

have been sustained

This alternative implies that something has been kept going, often under difficult circumstances, highlighting resilience or durability.

have remained functional

This alternative focuses on the continuation of functionality over time, implying that something has not ceased to work. It changes the focus from action to state.

have been upheld

This alternative suggests that something has been supported or kept in place, particularly in maintaining a standard or condition. It emphasizes active support for continued function.

FAQs

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

Use "have been functioning" to describe something that started working in the past and is still working now. For example, "The hospital's new wing "has been functioning" since last year".

What are some alternatives to "have been functioning"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "have been operating", "have been working", or "have been running".

Is it correct to say 'has been functioning' instead of 'have been functioning'?

Yes, "has been functioning" is correct when referring to a singular subject, whereas "have been functioning" is used for plural subjects or with "I", "you", "we", and "they".

What is the difference between 'have been functioning' and 'have been functional'?

"Have been functioning" describes an ongoing activity, while "have been functional" describes an ongoing state. For example, "The team "has been functioning" well all year" (activity) versus "The equipment "has been functional" after the repair" (state).