have been undergoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been undergoing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the idea that an action has been taking place over a period of time and that it is still ongoing. For example: "The planning committee have been undergoing extensive preparations for the event for several weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Clearly, typewriters have been undergoing a decline in many years.

The Guardian - Tech

Indeed, Salieri's operas have been undergoing a slow but steady exhumation.

The Guardian - Music

Wine bars have been undergoing a bit of a renaissance over the past few years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But like American steakhouses, English puddings have been undergoing a renaissance of late.

The New York Times - Food

Public schools, the Harvard report concludes, have been undergoing a "process of continuous resegregation".

The New York Times

Several of British Energy's nuclear reactors, such as Hinkley Point in Somerset, have been undergoing repairs.

The Guardian

Of late, the troops have been undergoing conversion training for Challenger 2 tanks.

The Guardian

The birds may also have been undergoing some hormonal changes, she said.

The New York Times

For more than a decade, electricity industries have been undergoing reform worldwide.

Energy Policy

They have been undergoing a U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDAA) Investigational New Drug (IND) human clinical trial since 2010.

Cornell University

Of the 16 people who died, only one is known to have been undergoing a cosmetic treatment for wrinkles.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been undergoing" to describe processes that are still active and ongoing. This tense emphasizes the continuous nature of the action and is useful for reporting on developments and changes over time.

Common error

Avoid using "have been undergoing" to describe actions that have already concluded. Instead, use a past tense form such as "underwent" or "had undergone" to accurately reflect the completion of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been undergoing" functions as a present perfect progressive or continuous tense. It describes an action or process that began in the past, continues into the present, and may extend into the future. Ludwig examples show it used to describe ongoing transformations, treatments, and changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have been undergoing" is a versatile grammatical structure used to denote ongoing processes that started in the past and continue into the present. Ludwig examples show it's frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Its neutral-to-formal register makes it suitable for objective reporting and detailed analysis. While grammatically sound and widely used, remember to use it to describe ongoing, not completed, actions. Ludwig AI indicates that its primary function is to highlight the duration and continuity of a process. Related phrases like "have been experiencing" or "have been going through" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been experiencing

This alternative highlights the experience or sensation of going through a process.

have been going through

Focuses on the traversal aspect, emphasizing the passage through a series of events or changes.

have been subject to

Implies that the subject has been acted upon or affected by something.

have been in the process of

Highlights the procedural nature of the action, suggesting a structured series of steps.

have been developing

Indicates a gradual unfolding or evolution of something over time.

have been evolving

Suggests a natural, progressive change or adaptation.

have been transforming

Emphasizes a significant change in form, nature, or appearance.

have been reforming

Implies a process of restructuring or improving something.

have been under treatment

Specifically denotes a medical or therapeutic process.

have been reshaping

Signifies an alteration of the fundamental structure or organization.

FAQs

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

Use "have been undergoing" to describe a process or experience that started in the past and is still continuing. For instance, "The city "have been undergoing" significant urban renewal in recent years".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "have been undergoing"?

Alternatives include "have been experiencing", "have been going through", or "have been subject to", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been undergoing" instead of "have been undergoing"?

"Has been undergoing" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "The company has been undergoing restructuring"), while "have been undergoing" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "The companies have been undergoing audits").

What is the difference between "have been undergoing" and "have undergone"?

"Have been undergoing" implies a continuous, ongoing process, whereas "have undergone" indicates that the process is complete. For example, "The tests "have been undergoing" revisions" (process is still active), versus "The tests "have undergone" revisions" (process is finished).