have been monitoring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been monitoring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action that started in the past and continues into the present, often in contexts related to observation or surveillance. Example: "We have been monitoring the system for any unusual activity over the past week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other experts who have been monitoring the Adelphia situation agree.

The New York Times

They must have been monitoring the phone calls.

The Guardian

"They must have been monitoring me for some time".

The New York Times

Trading standards have been monitoring the site all week.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have been monitoring the curious ascent of "you guys".

The Economist

City have been monitoring Sané since December 2013 and have now stepped up their interest.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, a pair of arborists have been monitoring a towering but faulty London plane.

The New Yorker

Palestinian and Tunisian doctors have been monitoring Mr. Arafat at the compound.

The New York Times

Navy personnel are said to have been monitoring the civilians at all times.

The New York Times

The Egyptians have been monitoring them, too, and so have we.

The New Yorker

There should have been monitoring when the first cases were reported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been monitoring", ensure the timeframe is clear. Specify for how long the monitoring has been ongoing to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using the simple present tense ("monitor") when the action started in the past and continues to the present. Use "have been monitoring" to correctly indicate the ongoing nature of the activity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been monitoring" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It expresses an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and may continue into the future. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing ongoing surveillance or observation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been monitoring" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively conveys an ongoing action that began in the past and extends to the present, predominantly in news, scientific, and formal contexts. Remember to specify the timeframe for clarity and avoid substituting it with simple present tense when referring to an ongoing activity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been observing

This alternative emphasizes visual observation rather than systematic tracking.

have been tracking

Focuses on following the progress or movement of something.

have been watching

Similar to observing, but can imply a more casual level of attention.

have been keeping an eye on

An idiomatic expression implying vigilance and readiness to intervene.

have been supervising

Suggests a level of authority and responsibility in the monitoring process.

have been overseeing

Similar to supervising, but often implies a broader scope of responsibility.

have been scrutinizing

Implies a careful and critical examination.

have been surveying

Suggests a systematic investigation or assessment.

have been auditing

Implies a formal review or examination, often of financial records.

have been policing

Focuses on maintaining order or enforcing rules through monitoring.

FAQs

What does "have been monitoring" mean?

The phrase "have been monitoring" means that someone or something has been observing or tracking something else over a period of time. It indicates an ongoing process that started in the past and continues into the present.

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

You can use "have been monitoring" to describe an ongoing observation or tracking activity. For example: "Scientists "have been monitoring underwater sounds" for decades."

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

You can use alternatives like "have been observing", "have been tracking", or "have been watching" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "have been monitoring" and "have monitored"?

"Have been monitoring" implies a continuous action, while "have monitored" suggests a completed action. For example, "We have been monitoring the situation closely" suggests ongoing observation, while "We have monitored the situation" indicates that monitoring is complete.