have been occurring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been occurring" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe actions or events that started in the past and continue to the present or have recently stopped. Example: "These issues have been occurring for several months, and we need to address them immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And these declines have been occurring nationwide.

The New York Times

Important changes have been occurring in Israel in recent days.

The New York Times

They have been occurring on a smaller scale for years.

The Guardian

But like hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, these disasters have been occurring with increasing frequency.

The New York Times

Mass demonstrations have been occurring almost weekly in different parts of Bali.

The Guardian

A possible explanation for continued tumorigenesis is that compensation by COX-1 may have been occurring.

Nature

The authors speculated that compensation by non-prostaglandin pathways may have been occurring.

Nature

Mass strandings are rare but they have been occurring off the British Isles for centuries.

Independent

Broker dealers lost the revenue from the trading that should have been occurring.

The New York Times

The problems have been occurring since that update was pushed out late last year, it seems.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Periodic Israeli closures have been occurring all of her life, restricting movement.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been occurring" to describe events or situations that started in the past and are still ongoing or have only recently ceased. This emphasizes the continuity or duration of the events.

Common error

Avoid using "have been occurring" when referring to a single, completed event in the past. Instead, use the past simple tense (e.g., "An error occurred"). The present perfect continuous implies a duration or repetition that is not present in a singular, finished action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been occurring" functions as the present perfect continuous tense of the verb "occur". It indicates actions or events that started in the past and are still ongoing or have recently ceased. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound way to express continued or repeated actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been occurring" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase to describe events that began in the past and are ongoing or have recently concluded. As confirmed by Ludwig, its versatility allows for use across various contexts, though it is most frequently found in news, science, and academic writing. When writing with "have been occurring", ensure you are accurately depicting a continuous or repeated action and avoid using it for single, completed events. Consider using alternatives such as "have been happening" or "have been taking place" to fine-tune your meaning. By paying attention to these nuances, you can effectively communicate the duration and frequency of events in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been happening

Emphasizes the unfolding or taking place of events, often used in more informal contexts.

have been developing

Focuses on the growth or evolution of something over time, implying progress or change.

have been taking place

Suggests a more formal or planned series of events, often implying organization or arrangement.

have been unfolding

Suggests a gradual revelation or development of events, often used to describe complex processes.

have been transpiring

Implies a sense of mystery or unfolding drama, often used in narrative or journalistic contexts.

have been arising

Indicates the spontaneous appearance of issues or problems, often used in problem-solving contexts.

have been emerging

Highlights the appearance or rise of new phenomena, often used in scientific or technological contexts.

have been materializing

Suggests the actualization or coming into being of plans or ideas, implying a shift from abstract to concrete.

have been surfacing

Highlights the uncovering or bringing to light of information, often used in investigative contexts.

have been presenting

Indicates problems or opportunities that are showing up, implying a need for attention or action.

FAQs

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

Use "have been occurring" to describe events that began in the past and continue to the present or have recently stopped. For example: "These problems "have been occurring" for several weeks."

What are some alternatives to "have been occurring"?

You can use alternatives like "have been happening", "have been taking place", or "have been unfolding" depending on the specific context.

When should I use "have been occurring" versus "occurred"?

Use "have been occurring" for ongoing or repeated events that started in the past and continue to the present. Use "occurred" for a single, completed event in the past. For example, "The incident occurred yesterday", versus "Incidents "have been occurring" frequently this month."

Is "have been occurring" formal or informal?

"Have been occurring" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself.