have been tracking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been tracking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate an ongoing action or process of monitoring something over a period of time. Example: "We have been tracking the progress of the project for several months now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Several groups have been tracking the submissions.

The New Yorker

But connoisseurs have been tracking him for years.

The New York Times - Arts

"We have been tracking him for some time," said Ridsdale.

The Guardian - Sport

What is another trend you have been tracking?

The New York Times

Researchers have been tracking latchkey children since the 1980's.

The New York Times - Health

Norad, and its predecessor the Continental Air Defense Command (Conad), have been tracking Santa since 1955.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Since then, The New York Times and CBS News have been tracking her favorability ratings.

The New York Times

The authorities have been tracking Mr. Rocancourt, 33, on four continents for more than a decade.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The overwhelming majority of the officers involved in these incidents, which The Washington Post and The Guardian have been tracking, were never tried in court.

Huffington Post

Our charmingly-named colleagues at HuffPost UK (all we're saying is, "Alastair Plumb") have been tracking the story, so don't miss their full rundown.

Huffington Post

Fans have been tracking the Knowles sisters' Instagram accounts as barometers for their current relationship, obsessively following which photos are posted and which have been removed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been tracking" to describe a sustained effort to monitor or follow something over time. For example, "Researchers have been tracking the effects of climate change for decades."

Common error

Avoid using "have been tracking" when describing a one-time event. Use a simple past tense instead. For example, instead of "We have been tracking the suspect yesterday", say "We tracked the suspect yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been tracking" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that started in the past and is still ongoing. Ludwig shows that the expression is commonly used to describe monitoring or following something over a period of time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been tracking" is a versatile present perfect continuous verb phrase, commonly used to describe an ongoing process of monitoring or observing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While adaptable, it's important to ensure correct tense usage to avoid errors. Alternatives such as "have been monitoring" or "have been following" can be used for semantic variation. With its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "have been tracking" enhances clarity and precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been monitoring

Emphasizes continuous observation for a specific purpose.

have been keeping track of

Focuses on maintaining a record or awareness of progress.

have been observing

Focuses on watching something over a period of time.

have been following

Highlights the act of keeping up with developments or progress.

have been watching

Suggests a more casual or less formal observation.

have been investigating

Implies a more in-depth and formal inquiry.

have been scrutinizing

Indicates a careful and critical examination.

have been surveying

Suggests a broad overview or assessment.

have kept tabs on

An informal way to express monitoring someone or something.

have kept an eye on

Implies vigilance in watching someone or something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been tracking" to describe an ongoing process of monitoring or observing something over a period. For instance, "Scientists "have been monitoring" the species' population for years."

What's a more formal alternative to "have been tracking"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like ""have been monitoring"" or "have been following", which convey a similar meaning in a professional context.

Is "have been tracking" the same as "have tracked"?

No, "have been tracking" indicates a continuous action, whereas "have tracked" suggests a completed action. "We have been tracking the storm's path" implies ongoing monitoring, while "We have tracked the storm's path" suggests the tracking is finished.

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

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I have been following", "I have been observing", or "I have been monitoring" to express a similar idea.