have been ignoring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been ignoring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of neglecting or not paying attention to something or someone over a period of time. Example: "They have been ignoring the warnings about the potential risks associated with the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

People have been ignoring it ever since.

The Guardian - Books

The Navy has been hailing us on the radio but we have been ignoring them.

The New Yorker

Though India appears to have been ignoring this law, U.S. federal officials have begun enforcing it.

The New York Times

FURTHERMORE, we have been ignoring the serious consequences of allowing long-term unemployment to continue.

The New York Times

And during all that time policymakers have been ignoring the lessons of theory and history.

The New York Times

But if that's true, it's a lesson creative types have been ignoring for ever.

The Guardian

"The networks have been ignoring what has long been right under their nose," Ms. Shepherd said.

The New York Times - Style

"It's a valuation play, because people have been ignoring the sector lately," he said.

The New York Times

"The politicians in Tokyo have been ignoring our wishes for decades," said Kenzo Nagamine, a restaurateur.

The Guardian

4.06pm GMT All this time we have been ignoring the action over in the curling.

The Guardian - Sport

He called them "obstacles who have been ignoring their own membership".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been ignoring", ensure the context clearly indicates the duration and object of the neglect. For example, "The council members have been ignoring the residents' concerns for months."

Common error

Avoid using "have been ignoring" when the neglect is a one-time occurrence. Use it to describe ongoing or repeated instances of inattention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been ignoring" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action of neglecting or disregarding something. Ludwig shows its use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been ignoring" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe an ongoing action of neglecting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being ignored and for how long. While versatile, consider more formal alternatives like "have overlooked" or "have disregarded" depending on the desired nuance. Be mindful not to use it for one-time instances of neglect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have overlooked

Focuses more on unintentional neglect or failure to notice something.

have disregarded

Emphasizes a deliberate decision to ignore something, often with negative consequences.

have neglected

Suggests a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

have paid no attention to

Highlights the lack of focus or consideration given to something.

have turned a blind eye to

Indicates a conscious choice to ignore something unethical or illegal.

have brushed aside

Implies a dismissive attitude towards something, treating it as unimportant.

have shied away from

Suggests an avoidance of something due to discomfort or fear.

have remained oblivious to

Highlights a lack of awareness or understanding of something.

have failed to address

Focuses on the lack of action taken to deal with a problem or issue.

have given short shrift to

Implies a lack of proper consideration or attention given to something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have been ignoring" to sound more formal?

Consider using alternatives like "have overlooked", "have disregarded", or "have neglected" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "have been ignoring" and "have ignored"?

"Have been ignoring" suggests a continuous action over a period, while "have ignored" implies a completed action. For example, "They have been ignoring the warnings" suggests ongoing neglect, while "They have ignored the warnings" indicates a past instance of neglect.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "have been ignoring"?

The phrase "have been ignoring" is suitable in various contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and casual conversations, to describe sustained inattention or neglect. The level of formality depends on the surrounding language.

Is "have been ignoring" grammatically correct?

Yes, "have been ignoring" is grammatically correct. It is the present perfect continuous tense of the verb "ignore", indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present.