have been sitting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have been sitting' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation that has been occurring over a period of time in the past and continues into the present. Example: I have been sitting here for hours, waiting for you.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"They all have been sitting on too much inventory".

The New York Times

"Things have been sitting on the market quite a while".

The New York Times

And really he shouldn't have been sitting at all.

The New Yorker

"I have been sitting here thinking about it all day.

The New York Times

It looks like it must have been sitting for years".

The New York Times

"She would have been sitting here as the champion.

The New York Times - Sports

"Don't think we have been sitting idly by," Graime said.

The New York Times - Sports

Cacti have been sitting without water for many weeks.

The New York Times

Sometimes entire works have been sitting on the shelf.

The New York Times - Arts

(Since she's been in "Follies," guest hosts have been sitting in).

The New York Times

"You see! Eighty-eight missed calls just since we have been sitting here.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been sitting" to describe an ongoing state or action, emphasizing the duration. For example, "I have been sitting at my desk for three hours."

Common error

Avoid using "have been sitting" when a simple past tense like "sat" is more appropriate. "I sat" indicates a completed action, while "I have been sitting" emphasizes the duration of the sitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been sitting" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It describes an action that began in the past, continues into the present, and emphasizes the duration of the action. Ludwig provides many examples demonstrating this ongoing nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been sitting" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction, widely used to denote a prolonged state of being seated or inactive. As Ludwig AI points out, it functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, emphasizing duration and continuity. While generally neutral in register, its frequency is notable across news, media, scientific writing, and general conversation. Remember to use it when you want to highlight how long something has been in a seated position, but avoid confusing it with simpler past tenses. Be mindful of context and choose the correct tense to appropriately express your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been seated

Focuses more on the physical act of being placed or situated in a seat.

have been lounging

Suggests a relaxed and leisurely way of sitting or reclining.

have been idle

Highlights the lack of activity or productivity during a period of time.

have been inactive

Similar to "have been idle", but can apply to systems or organizations as well as people.

have been residing

Shifts the emphasis to a more general sense of dwelling or occupying a place.

have remained

Emphasizes the continuation of a state or condition without change.

have been stationed

Implies being positioned or assigned to a specific location for a purpose.

have been waiting

Implies anticipation or expectation while being seated.

have been stagnating

Highlights the lack of progress or movement over time.

have been parked

Conveys a sense of temporary placement or storage in a location.

FAQs

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

Use "have been sitting" to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing. Example: "They have been sitting in that meeting since 9 AM."

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

You can use alternatives like "have been seated", "have been lounging", or "have remained" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "have been sitting" or "have sat"?

"Have been sitting" emphasizes the duration of the action, while "have sat" focuses on the completion of the action at some point in the past. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "have been sitting" and "were sitting"?

"Have been sitting" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present, while "were sitting" refers to a continuous action in the past that has ended. For instance, "They were sitting there" implies they aren't sitting there now, versus "They have been sitting there" which implies they may still be.