have been leaving

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been leaving" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a continual action or event that has already been taking place for some time. For example, "We have been leaving early in the morning to avoid the traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Citizens have been leaving.

The Guardian

Experts have been leaving in numbers.

The New York Times - Arts

Tunisians have been leaving Zarzis with similar hopes for generations.

The New York Times

For decades, teams have been leaving Florida for Arizona.

The New York Times - Sports

Accordingly, manufacturers have been leaving the United States in droves.

The New York Times

But people have been leaving their homes for months.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, key people have been leaving the webOS team.

The Guardian - Tech

Both young and midcareer officers have been leaving for other police departments.

The New York Times

Friends have been leaving comments on their blog expressing their happiness that the couple are safe.

Independent

Roughly 60% of Iowa's university students have been leaving the state after graduation.

The Economist

Beginning in 2009, however, senators have been leaving at a significantly higher rate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been leaving", ensure that the context clearly indicates the timeframe and the reason for the departure for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been leaving" when a simple past tense ("left") or present perfect tense ("have left") is more appropriate. "Have been leaving" implies a continuous action, not a completed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been leaving" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action of departing that began in the past and continues into the present. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, such as describing population shifts or employee departures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been leaving" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe an ongoing action of departure that started in the past and continues to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using "have been leaving", ensure that you accurately convey the continuous nature of the departure and provide sufficient context for clarity. Be mindful of common errors, such as using the phrase when a simple past or present perfect tense is more appropriate. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "have been leaving" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been departing

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the act of formally going away.

have been exiting

This alternative suggests a more definite and often permanent departure from a place or organization.

have been withdrawing

This alternative implies a gradual retreat or removal from a situation or location.

have been abandoning

This alternative suggests a more abrupt and often negative departure, leaving something behind.

have been relocating

This alternative specifies that the leaving involves moving to a new location.

have been emigrating

This alternative indicates leaving one's country to settle permanently in another.

have been fleeing

This alternative suggests leaving quickly, often due to danger or undesirable conditions.

have been vacating

This alternative emphasizes the act of making a place empty by leaving it.

have been moving out

This alternative is more colloquial and suggests leaving a residence or dwelling.

have been resigning

This alternative specifies the leaving of a job or position.

FAQs

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

Use "have been leaving" to describe a continuous action of departure that started in the past and is still ongoing. For example, "Employees "have been leaving" the company due to poor management."

What's the difference between "have been leaving" and "have left"?

"Have been leaving" implies a continuous, ongoing action, while "have left" suggests a completed action. "They "have been leaving" the city" means the departure is still happening. "They "have left" the city" means they are no longer there.

What can I say instead of "have been leaving"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "have been departing", "have been exiting", or "have been withdrawing".

Is it correct to say "are leaving" instead of "have been leaving"?

While "are leaving" can sometimes be used similarly, it typically refers to a departure happening now or in the near future. "Are leaving" doesn't necessarily imply a continuous action over time like ""have been leaving"" does.