have been indicating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been indicating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or trend that has been occurring over a period of time, often in the context of research or observations. Example: "The recent studies have been indicating a significant increase in temperature over the last decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The chair of the work and pensions committee may have been indicating that such a proposal would be technically problematic.

The Guardian - Business

"Did we break down?" Irv asked, as if the siren might have been indicating a cracked catalytic converter.

The New Yorker

"You should give credit to the markets for correctly interpreting the numbers that have been indicating that the economy is stronger than expected and that prices were increasing".

The New York Times

The owners, Alexander Lebedev and his son, Evgeny, have been indicating for some time that they would be happy to dispose of the paper and its sister titles, i, and the Independent on Sunday.

The Guardian

Some big operators, including Aetna, Humana, and United Health Care, have withdrawn from a number of the exchanges, and those insurers that remain have been indicating their intention to raise prices sharply for 2017.

The New Yorker

It is about commentators catching up with the polling numbers and the economic data, which have been indicating for some time that this is going to be a very close race.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Organs have been indicated in the SPECT images.

EJNMMI Research

Interfacial modifications, of faradaic or electrocapillary origin, have been indicated.

Electrochimica Acta

The possible sources of the errors have been indicated.

Electrochimica Acta

As have been indicated before, α is related to the initial adsorption rate.

Applied Water Science

Items that form the final version have been indicated in italics.

Journal of Patient-Reported Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been indicating" to describe a trend or pattern that has emerged over time, based on consistent evidence or signals.

Common error

Avoid using "have been indicating" to describe a one-time occurrence. This phrase is best suited for ongoing trends or repeated signals. For single events, use phrases like "indicated" or "suggested".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been indicating" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It highlights an action that started in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the indication or suggestion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used to describe an ongoing action or trend.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been indicating" is a grammatically correct and useful verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively conveys that evidence or signals have consistently suggested a particular conclusion over time. While most common in News & Media and Science, its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various formal contexts. Remember to use it for ongoing trends, not single events, and consider alternatives like "have been suggesting" for nuanced meanings. This phrase helps build a narrative of cumulative evidence, making your writing more persuasive and informed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been suggesting

Replaces "indicating" with a direct synonym, implying a slightly weaker form of communication or evidence.

have been suggesting

Replaces "indicating" with "suggesting", implying a less direct form of communication.

have been pointing to

Uses a more visual metaphor, suggesting that evidence is directing attention to a particular conclusion.

have been signaling

Implies a deliberate communication, often non-verbal, hinting at a future event or condition.

have been demonstrating

Shifts the focus to showing something through actions or observable evidence, rather than verbal communication.

have been reflecting

Suggests that something is mirroring or showing a particular state or trend indirectly.

have been alluding to

Indicates a subtle or indirect reference, often requiring the listener to infer the intended meaning.

have been intimating

Implies a delicate or subtle suggestion, often hinting at something sensitive or private.

have been implying

Focuses on hinting at something without stating it explicitly, leaving room for interpretation.

have been portending

Suggests that something is serving as an omen or sign of future events, often with a sense of foreboding.

FAQs

How do I use "have been indicating" in a sentence?

Use "have been indicating" to describe a trend or a series of events that suggest a particular outcome or conclusion over time. For example, "The economic indicators "have been indicating" a potential recession".

What are some alternatives to "have been indicating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have been suggesting", "have been pointing to", or "have been signaling".

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

No, "has been indicating" is used with singular subjects, while "have been indicating" is used with plural subjects or the pronouns 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'. For example, "The data has been indicating" (singular) versus "The studies "have been indicating"" (plural).

What's the difference between "have been indicating" and "have indicated"?

"Have been indicating" suggests a continuous action or trend over time, while "have indicated" implies a completed action in the past that has relevance to the present. For example, "Recent reports "have indicated" a change in policy", versus "Experts "have been indicating" for months that a policy change was likely".