have been neglecting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been neglecting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action of failing to care for or pay attention to something over a period of time. Example: "I have been neglecting my health by not exercising regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Tells them that they have been neglecting their patriotic duty.

The New Yorker

I have been neglecting the corner of this blog called the Bookpile.

The New York Times

The Bagger has been neglecting his bookmarks of late and they have been neglecting hm him back.

The New York Times

As to why Catholics have been neglecting confession, Archbishop McCarrick said in a telephone interview, "I think people have lost the sense of sin nowadays.

The New York Times

His workout: "I have a trainer, and I have been neglecting her for the last month and I'm not too happy about it.

The New York Times - Magazine

The other day my friend and colleague, Cyra Levenson, said, "Until the teacher has a voice again, no student will either". I realized that while I coach how to teach writing to children, I have been neglecting to focus enough on the fundamental need for teachers to have a writing voice.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"It tends to have been neglected.

The New Yorker

"The benefits of weeds have been neglected.

Cornell University

Mathematics and science have been neglected..

The New York Times

The 'historical' sciences have been neglected by philosophers.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

We have been neglected for not only years but decades".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been neglecting", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being neglected and the duration of the neglect. This provides clarity and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "have been neglecting" without specifying what is being neglected. For example, instead of saying "I have been neglecting", specify "I have been neglecting my studies" to provide a clear and understandable statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been neglecting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates an action of failing to care for or pay attention to something that has been ongoing over a period of time. This can refer to duties, responsibilities, or personal needs.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been neglecting" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies an ongoing failure to care for or pay attention to something. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Academic, and Wiki contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify what exactly is being neglected. Alternative phrases, such as "have been overlooking" or "have been ignoring", can offer subtle variations in meaning, as well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been overlooking

Focuses on the aspect of missing something important rather than actively disregarding it.

have been ignoring

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to pay no attention to something or someone.

have been disregarding

Highlights a conscious decision to dismiss something as unimportant or irrelevant.

have been remiss in

Implies a failure to fulfill a duty or responsibility.

have been derelict in

Suggests a serious neglect of duty, often with negative consequences.

have been shirking

Indicates an avoidance of responsibility or work.

have been skimping on

Focuses on reducing effort or resources dedicated to something.

have been slighting

Suggests treating something or someone with disrespect or insufficient attention.

have been bypassing

Emphasizes going around or avoiding something, rather than direct neglect.

have been failing to maintain

Highlights the lack of upkeep or care, especially regarding a physical object or system.

FAQs

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "have been remiss in" or "have been derelict in", depending on the specific context and severity of the neglect.

What's the difference between "have been neglecting" and "have been ignoring"?

"Have been neglecting" implies a failure to care for something, while "have been ignoring" suggests a deliberate choice to pay no attention. Neglecting can be unintentional, but ignoring is intentional.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I have been neglecting on my duties"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I have been neglecting my duties". The preposition "on" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What are some common things people "have been neglecting"?

Common examples include "have been neglecting their health", "have been neglecting their studies", or "have been neglecting their relationships". The specific object being neglected depends on the context.