have been undertaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been undertaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or process that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "We have been undertaking a comprehensive review of our policies to ensure compliance with new regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

In a climate of embattled bibliophilia, authors have been undertaking reading stunts to prove that reading anything matters.

The New Yorker

Corporate Citizenship carried out the audits in 2006-2009 whilErnst&Youngng have been undertaking them since then.

The Guardian

"The staff at HMP Kennet have been undertaking excellent work with the prisoners from Merseyside and the surrounding areas.

The Guardian

Since the regime was introduced, we have been undertaking work to ensure that senior manager responsibilities are properly allocated and understood in firms.

The Guardian - Business

"In the event of a yes[yes] vote, the scale of potential change is currently unclear, but we have been undertaking contingency planning," the bank said.

The Guardian - Business

The only reason that oil prices haven't soared to record highs, Hamilton points out, is that countries have been undertaking new conservation measures.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

The first tests have been undertaken.

The Guardian - Sport

Many assessments have been undertaken worldwide.

International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction

No U.S.-led operations have been undertaken since then.

The New Yorker

In addition, viscosity and ionic conductivity measurements have been undertaken.

Electrochimica Acta

Since 1949, massive afforestation programs have been undertaken.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been undertaking", ensure the context clearly indicates an ongoing or recently completed action that started in the past. It emphasizes the process and duration of the activity.

Common error

Avoid using "have been undertaking" to describe a single, completed action in the past. Use the simple past tense instead (e.g., "undertook") for actions that are finished and have no present relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been undertaking" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has recently finished. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been undertaking" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it aptly describes actions initiated in the past that persist into the present. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, scientific research, and formal business communications, indicating its versatility and broad applicability. When writing, remember that this phrase emphasizes the ongoing nature of an activity, and it's crucial to select the correct tense to convey the intended meaning effectively. While "have been conducting" or "have been performing" can serve as alternatives, the nuances they introduce may alter the overall message. The phrase's authoritative sources, like The Guardian and The New York Times, attest to its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been performing

This alternative directly replaces "undertaking" with "performing", maintaining a similar level of formality and emphasizing the execution of a task.

have been conducting

This alternative replaces "undertaking" with "conducting", suggesting a more structured or organized approach to the action.

have been carrying out

This alternative replaces "undertaking" with "carrying out", implying a completion-oriented aspect of the action.

have been executing

This alternative replaces "undertaking" with "executing", conveying a sense of precision and control in performing the action.

have been pursuing

This alternative shifts the focus to the goal-oriented nature of the action, suggesting an active effort towards achieving a specific objective.

have been engaged in

This alternative is more general and suggests involvement in an activity, rather than directly performing a task.

have been working on

This alternative is less formal and implies effort and progress over time.

have been occupied with

This alternative highlights that the time and resources have been devoted to a specific task or activity.

have been busy with

This alternative conveys a state of activity and commitment to something, indicating a level of engagement with a specific undertaking.

have been immersed in

This alternative suggests a deeper level of involvement and dedication to a task or activity, conveying a sense of being fully engrossed in the undertaking.

FAQs

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

Use "have been undertaking" to describe an action or project that started in the past and is still in progress, or has only recently finished. For example: "We "have been undertaking" a review of our current policies."

What are some alternatives to "have been undertaking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "have been conducting", "have been performing", or "have been carrying out".

Is it correct to say "have undertook" instead of "have been undertaking"?

No, "have undertook" is not grammatically correct. The correct usage is "have undertaken" (past participle) or ""have been undertaking"" (present perfect continuous), depending on the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "have been undertaking" and "have undertaken"?

"Have been undertaking" implies an ongoing action that started in the past and may still be continuing. "Have undertaken" indicates a completed action, emphasizing the result rather than the process.