have been operating

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been operating" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an activity or system that has been ongoing for a period of time. Example: Our company has been operating for over 25 years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Schools have been operating.

The New York Times

We have been operating for 11 years.

The New York Times

AGAGE and its predecessors have been operating since 1978.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Europeans have been operating offshore wind farms since 1991.

Yale University

Some, like the one at Lixin, have been operating illegally.

The Economist

Nineteen of those 28 have been operating in the red.

The New Yorker

They have been operating in bankruptcy for three years.

The New York Times - Sports

"There are schools that have been operating for 30 years.

The New York Times

Their planes have different engines and have been operating normally.

Independent

In the south, gas stations have been operating.

The New York Times

Other carriers have been operating day to day.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of an activity, use "have been operating" to emphasize the continuity and ongoing nature of the process. For example, "The system has been operating smoothly for the past year".

Common error

Avoid using simple past tense ("operated") when you want to emphasize that the activity is still ongoing. "Have been operating" indicates a process that started in the past and continues to the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been operating" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing in the present. Ludwig AI highlights its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been operating" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb phrase used to describe ongoing actions that began in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears most frequently in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports. To ensure clarity, use it to emphasize the continuity of a process and avoid substituting it with the simple past tense when the activity is still ongoing. By understanding its function and communicative purpose, you can effectively use "have been operating" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been running

Replaces "operating" with "running", implying a similar sense of ongoing activity but often suggests a system or process in motion.

have been functioning

Substitutes "operating" with "functioning", emphasizing the state of being in working order rather than the active process.

have been in service

Replaces the original phrase to highlight a state of being available and used for a specific purpose, common in describing equipment or systems.

have been working

A more general term indicating activity or effort, which can replace "operating" in contexts where the specific nature of the activity is less important.

have been active

Suggests engagement in a process or activity, replacing "operating" to focus on the state of being engaged.

have been performing

Emphasizes the execution of tasks or duties, replacing "operating" to highlight the action-oriented aspect.

have been executing

Implies a more formal or structured process than "operating", suggesting a planned sequence of actions.

have been managing

Shifts the focus to the oversight and direction of a process, rather than the process itself.

have been conducting

Suggests carrying out a specific activity or experiment, often in a more formal or scientific context.

have been maintaining

Highlights the act of keeping something in working order, rather than the act of using it.

FAQs

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

Use "have been operating" to describe an ongoing activity or system that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "The factory "have been operating" at full capacity since last year".

What are some alternatives to "have been operating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been running", "have been functioning", or "have been in service".

What's the difference between "have been operating" and "operated"?

"Have been operating" indicates a continuous action that started in the past and is still ongoing, while "operated" (simple past tense) refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "The machine "have been operating" for five years" vs. "The machine operated yesterday".

When should I use "has been operating" instead of "have been operating"?

Use "has been operating" with singular subjects (e.g., "The company has been operating") and "have been operating" with plural subjects (e.g., "The companies "have been operating"").