have been retaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been retaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of keeping or holding onto something over a period of time. Example: "We have been retaining valuable information from our research to improve our strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The managers there also distributed a memo instructing employees not to discard any e-mail messages, documents or other paperwork -- a directive so general that nervous employees have been retaining nearly everything, even documents that are clearly not directly related to an audit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Third, starter Jon Lieber should have been retained.

The New York Times

Fourth, second baseman Miguel Cairo should also have been retained.

The New York Times

The original herringbone floors have been retained throughout the unit.

The New York Times

The keynote songs from the original have been retained.

The New York Times

Some important exemptions to copyright have been retained.

The Economist

Long-favored features from the past have been retained.

The New York Times - Arts

The engaging black-and-white photographs of old Bay Shore have been retained.

The New York Times

Publicists have been retained as consultants, but never seem to last.

The New Yorker

It opened in 1840, and many of its original, ornate features have been retained.

The Guardian

Three more wickets at Trent Bridge and the Ashes would have been retained.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been retaining" when describing an ongoing action of keeping or holding onto something, especially when emphasizing the duration.

Common error

Avoid using "have been retaining" excessively in overly formal or academic writing; consider simpler alternatives like "have kept" or "have maintained" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been retaining" functions as a present perfect progressive verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in describing an ongoing action of keeping or holding onto something over a period of time. Examples show its use in various contexts like data retention, feature preservation, and document management.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been retaining" is a grammatically sound present perfect progressive verb phrase used to describe the ongoing action of keeping or holding onto something. While Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, its frequency is relatively rare. It is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts, as evidenced by its presence in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. For more concise or formal writing, alternatives such as "have kept" or "have maintained" may be preferable. The primary function of the phrase is to emphasize the duration and continuity of the act of retention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been keeping

This alternative is less formal and directly implies maintaining possession or storage.

have been holding on to

This alternative is more colloquial, suggesting a determined effort to maintain possession.

have been preserving

This alternative emphasizes maintaining something in its original state, often against decay or change.

have been maintaining

This alternative focuses on preserving something at a consistent level or condition.

have been conserving

This alternative suggests careful management to prevent depletion or waste.

have been storing

This alternative emphasizes placing something away for future use or safekeeping.

have been safeguarding

This alternative highlights protecting something from harm or loss.

have been stockpiling

This alternative focuses on accumulating a large quantity of something for future need.

have been amassing

This alternative implies gradual accumulation of something, often of value or significance.

have been accumulating

This alternative suggests a gradual increase in quantity or amount over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been retaining" to describe an ongoing action of keeping or holding onto something over a period. For example: "The company "have been retaining" important data to inform future strategies."

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

You can use alternatives like "have been keeping", "have been holding on to", or "have been preserving" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "have been retaining" and "have retained"?

"Have been retaining" implies a continuous action over time, whereas "have retained" suggests a completed action with a present result. For example, "They "have been retaining" customer data for the past year" versus "They "have retained" their market share."

When is it appropriate to use "have been retaining" over simpler alternatives?

Use "have been retaining" when you want to emphasize the continuous nature of keeping something and the duration of that action. If the duration is not important, "have kept" or "have maintained" might be more appropriate.