have been pursuing

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been pursuing' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have been taking action over a period of time in order to achieve something. For example, "I have been pursuing a career in finance for the past few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They have been pursuing this.

The New York Times

We have been pursuing the technology.

The New York Times

Isn't that the goal we have been pursuing?

The Washington Post

And so those are things that we have been pursuing.

Yale University

I have been pursuing entrepreneurship for the past two years.

Yale University

Prosecutors have been pursuing a case against the WikiLeaks founder.

The Washington Post

Many older industrial cities in the UK have been pursuing cultural strategies to promote urban regeneration.

Cities

Terrace thought his experiment failed, so I would have been pursuing a negative in the story.

The Economist

In other incidents, the sparring groups have been pursuing separatist ambitions.

The Economist

Other automakers have been pursuing these goals as well, but without formulating a unified approach.

The New York Times

We are pursuing, and have been pursuing and respecting the role of the Senate.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been pursuing", ensure that the context clearly indicates the duration and ongoing nature of the effort. This helps convey a sense of progress and commitment.

Common error

Avoid using "have been pursuing" when referring to a completed action in the past. Instead, opt for a simple past tense, such as "pursued", to accurately reflect the action's completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been pursuing" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig's examples confirm this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

21%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been pursuing" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe ongoing actions or efforts that began in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news reporting and general conversation. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the duration and ongoing nature of the activity. Remember to avoid using it for completed actions, opting instead for the simple past tense. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread use and provide valuable insights into its nuanced application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been trying to achieve

Stresses the attempt to accomplish a specific result.

have been intent on

Demonstrates a strong and unwavering purpose.

have been working towards

Emphasizes the work and steps taken to reach a target.

have been dedicating efforts to

Highlights the commitment and resources allocated.

have been striving for

Focuses on effort and ambition towards achieving something.

have been committed to

Shows a firm and unwavering dedication.

have been aiming at

Highlights the goal or target of the actions.

have been endeavoring to

Implies a serious and determined effort.

have been seeking

Focuses on searching for something, either tangible or intangible.

have been giving attention to

Emphasizes focus and consideration given to something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been pursuing" to describe an action you started in the past and are still actively engaged in. For example, "I "have been pursuing a degree" in computer science for the last three years."

What's the difference between "have been pursuing" and "have pursued"?

"Have been pursuing" indicates an ongoing action, while "have pursued" suggests a completed action with current relevance. For example, "I have pursued my goals" implies completion, whereas "I "have been pursuing my goals"" suggests ongoing effort.

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

You can use alternatives like "have been seeking", "have been striving for", or "have been working towards" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am pursuing" instead of "I have been pursuing"?

Yes, both are correct but have slightly different meanings. "I am pursuing" refers to an action happening now, while "I "have been pursuing"" refers to an action that started in the past and continues to the present.