have been probing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been probing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or investigation that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been probing the issue for several weeks to find a solution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"When it comes to Berlusconi, prosecutors have been probing under any rock they can because they want to eliminate him from politics".

The New York Times

The spin, repeated against on Thursday, has been that we have been probing "historical" problems with a wayward unit, regardless of the fact that most of the undercover spies we have identified were deployed in the past 15 years.

The Guardian

But, for the last 10 years, I have been probing away at the issue of completion – at what happens when you make an intervention into existing and canonical works.

The Guardian - Music

The regulator then passed its case to criminal investigators, who have been probing its operations.Raphael Bergoeing, a banking supervisor, says government lawyers insist that Cumplo has broken the rules.

The Economist

The Red Storm (24-7) has won 11 of its last 12 games and the Big East Conference tournament, while N.C.A.A. investigators have been probing everything from Erick Barkley's prep school tuition and SAT scores to improper contact any Red Storm player may have had with agents.

The New York Times - Sports

It has staked its credibility as a regulator on its ability to gauge the health of Europe's banking system at the time it inherits it.Thousands of bank employees, consultants, auditors and other white-collar types have been probing for much of the past year.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

It is understood that at least two other recruitment companies have been probed by the DWP.

The Guardian

They were selected when they were sophomores, and they have been probed, poked and measured ever since.

The New York Times

Goldman's dealings with A.I.G. have been probed in the pages of this newspaper, among others.

The New York Times - Books

The bomb attacks have been probed in a criminal trial and parliamentary investigations.

The Economist

Politicians and civil servants, for once, have been probed in public; the inquiry is broadcast nightly on television.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been probing" to describe an ongoing investigation or exploration that has been in progress for some time.

Common error

Avoid using "have been probing" when referring to a completed action. Use the past perfect tense instead (e.g., "had probed").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been probing" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. It describes an action that began in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing the duration of the activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been probing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that describes an ongoing investigation or exploration. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's suitable for various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects an action that started in the past and is still in progress. Alternatives such as "have been investigating" or "have been examining" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been investigating

This alternative focuses on a systematic or formal inquiry.

have been examining

This suggests a closer, more detailed inspection.

have been exploring

This implies a broader, less structured inquiry or search.

have been scrutinizing

This indicates a very critical and detailed examination.

have been delving into

This suggests a deep and thorough investigation.

have been looking into

This is a more casual and general way to describe investigating.

have been researching

This focuses on a systematic study to discover and interpret facts.

have been inquiring into

This implies a formal investigation or questioning.

have been checking out

This is a more informal way of saying investigating or examining.

have been digging into

This suggests a thorough and determined search for information.

FAQs

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

The phrase "have been probing" is used to describe an ongoing investigation or exploration. For example, "Scientists "have been probing" the effects of climate change for years."

What's the difference between "have been probing" and "have probed"?

"Have been probing" indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing. "Have probed" indicates a completed action with a relevance to the present. Using the correct tense ensures your meaning is clear.

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

You can use alternatives like "have been investigating", "have been examining", or "have been researching" depending on the context.

Is "have been probing" formal or informal?

The phrase "have been probing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness largely depends on the surrounding language and the specific situation.