have been progressing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been progressing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing process of improvement or development that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "Over the past few months, we have been progressing steadily towards our project goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Things have been progressing rapidly off the field for Andrew Henderson's side, too.

The Guardian - Sport

"Things have been progressing well and this is an important series for us leading up to the T20 World Cup.

The Guardian - Sport

Both were the top horses in harness racing as 2-year-olds and have been progressing well.

The New York Times - Sports

British officials say the negotiations have been progressing too slowly, and the best Copenhagen can achieve is a "politically binding" agreement.

The Guardian

But they have been progressing, and the Red Foxes have been learning not to rely solely on their two best players, Rachele Fitz and Viani.

The New York Times - Sports

Agriculture is one of the pillars of the Doha round, the WTO's wide-ranging free-trade negotiations that have been progressing in fits and starts since 2001.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

"We've been progressing but today was a setback.

The Guardian - Sport

However, last week, Steadman highlighted how well Hargreaves had been progressing.

Independent

The work had been progressing very slowly, Mr. Gusain said.

The New York Times

Land reform has been progressing too slowly, Mr Malema says.

The Economist

Digital display technology has been progressing towards curved screens.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been progressing" to describe an ongoing process of development or improvement that started in the past and is still continuing. This emphasizes the continuous nature of the progress.

Common error

Avoid using "have been progressing" when referring to a completed action or a state that no longer exists. Use the past perfect continuous tense ("had been progressing") instead to describe actions that were in progress before another past action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been progressing" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing process or development. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe actions that began in the past and continue into the present, suggesting continuous advancement or improvement. Examples confirm its use in varied contexts, from negotiations to personal development.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been progressing" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe actions or processes that began in the past and continue to develop or improve in the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. As shown by the examples, it's commonly found in News & Media and Scientific articles, and it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. Related phrases like "have been advancing" or "have been developing" offer alternative ways to express ongoing advancement, but the core meaning remains consistent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been advancing

This alternative emphasizes forward movement and is suitable for situations where progress is directed.

have been moving forward

Emphasizes the idea of overcoming obstacles and making headway.

have been developing

This phrase is more suitable when referring to the gradual growth or evolution of something.

have been making headway

Highlights the difficulty overcome and emphasizes the noticeable progress.

have been improving

Suggests a change for the better, often implying a previous state of deficiency.

have been getting better

A more informal way of saying something is improving.

have been evolving

Implies a more natural or organic process of change over time.

have been shaping up

Suggests something is gradually taking a more defined form.

have been proceeding

Focuses on the continuation of a process or activity according to plan.

have been building up

Implies accumulation of momentum, strength, or resources over time.

FAQs

How do I use "have been progressing" in a sentence?

Use "have been progressing" to describe an action or process that started in the past and continues to develop or improve in the present. For example, "Negotiations "have been progressing well"".

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

You can use alternatives like "have been advancing", "have been developing", or "have been improving" depending on the context.

When should I use "have progressed" instead of "have been progressing"?

"Have progressed" indicates a completed action or a state that has reached a certain point. "Have been progressing" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action or development. For example, "The project "has progressed" significantly" vs. "The project "has been progressing" steadily".

Is "have been progressing" formal or informal?

"Have been progressing" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure than on the phrase itself. You can use it in academic papers, business reports, or casual conversations.