have been running

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express that something has been happening continuously over a period of time. For example: They have been running since sunrise.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Corporations have been running scared ever since.

The New York Times

Water and bread have been running low.

The Economist

The subway trains have been running fine.

The New York Times

Emotions have been running high lately.

Princeton University

They have been running it every since.

The Guardian

I have been running five years.

The Guardian

"Every machine would have been running".

The New York Times

The Northern line could have been running.

The Guardian

Negotiations have been running well behind schedule.

The New York Times

Still strikes no trains have been running for 11 days.

Princeton University

But he seems to have been running for ever.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been running", ensure the context clearly indicates a continuous action or state over a specific period. For instance, "The company's profits have been running high since the new CEO took over."

Common error

Avoid using "have been running" when a simple past tense is more appropriate for completed actions. Instead of "I have been running a marathon yesterday", use "I ran a marathon yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been running" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that started in the past and is either still ongoing or has recently ceased. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been running" is a versatile verb phrase with very common usage, indicating continuous action from the past to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While generally neutral in register, its specific meaning depends on the context. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to avoid tense confusion and emphasize continuous actions or states. Be mindful of the nuances to effectively communicate the duration and continuity of the intended action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been functioning

More direct synonym, implies continuous operation.

have been in operation

Focuses on the state of being active or functional.

have been operating

Similar meaning but focuses on the activity of operating over a period of time

have been underway

Implies that something has been in progress or in motion.

have been performing

Emphasizes the execution of a task or activity over time.

have been progressing

Emphasizes development and advancement over a period of time.

have continued

Highlights the ongoing nature of an action or state.

have been proceeding

Suggests forward movement or progress in a continuous manner.

have operated

Focuses on the functionality aspect rather than the physical activity.

have functioned

Similar to "have operated" but may imply a more complex or technical process.

FAQs

How to use "have been running" in a sentence?

Use "have been running" to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing, or has recently stopped. For example, "They "have been running" the company for five years" indicates continuous management.

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

You can use alternatives like "have operated", "have been operating", or "have been functioning" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been running" or "had been running"?

The choice depends on the time frame. "Have been running" indicates an action continuing to the present, while "had been running" refers to an action completed before a specific point in the past. For example, "I "have been running" every day this week" versus "I had been running for an hour before it started raining".

What's the difference between "have been running" and "have run"?

"Have been running" emphasizes the continuous nature of an action, while "have run" focuses on the completion of the action at some point in the past. Consider, "I "have been running" to improve my stamina" (emphasis on the process) versus "I "have run" five marathons" (emphasis on the accomplishment).