have been underway

USAGE SUMMARY

'have been underway' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something that has already started is still in progress. For example: "Preparations for the launch event have been underway for several weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At Stanford, multidisciplinary improvement efforts have been underway for months.

Stanford University

Trials have been underway in Oakland and in Canada.

The New York Times

Massive evacuation and relief efforts have been underway throughout Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The Guardian

Preparations for the job move have been underway for some time.

The New York Times

Robust efforts to tame Washington lobbyists have been underway for 50 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

In Europe, tests have been underway for some time in Frankfurt and at London's Heathrow airport.

The New York Times

Controlled clinical studies have been underway for several decades especially in India, the home of Yoga.

Harvard University

Efforts have been underway for a long time to design alternatives to animal use.

Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

Relief operations have been underway across South Sudan since the start of the conflict.

The Guardian

Major organizing efforts to stave off membership losses have been underway since 2014.

The New York Times

Discussions about the formation of the group have been underway for several weeks.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been underway" to indicate that a process, project, or activity has already started and is still continuing. It's effective for describing ongoing efforts or initiatives.

Common error

Avoid using "have been underway" when describing actions that have already finished. This phrase implies an ongoing process, not a completed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been underway" functions as a present perfect continuous construction, indicating that an action or process began in the past and is still continuing into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been underway" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that an action or process that began in the past is still in progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for use in various contexts, including news, academic, and professional settings. Related phrases include "have been in progress" and "have been ongoing", offering similar meanings. When using "have been underway", ensure that you're referring to an action that's still active, not one that has concluded. It is a versatile phrase that strengthens writing by showing the dynamic development of events and projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been in progress

Replaces "underway" with a more general term, focusing on the state of being in progress.

have been ongoing

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the activity.

have been taking place

Similar to "have been happening" but slightly more formal.

have been happening

A more informal way to express that something has been taking place.

have been in motion

Focuses on the activity and momentum of the process.

are in the works

Indicates that something is being planned or developed.

are being executed

Focuses on the performance or carrying out of a plan.

are being implemented

Highlights the act of putting a plan or project into effect.

are in development

Specifically refers to the stage of growth or advancement.

are being pursued

Emphasizes the active effort to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How do I use "have been underway" in a sentence?

Use "have been underway" to describe something that started in the past and is still in progress. For example, "Negotiations "have been underway" for several months."

What are some alternatives to "have been underway"?

Alternatives include "have been in progress", "have been ongoing", or "have been taking place". Choose the one that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say "have been underway since last week"?

Yes, it's correct. The phrase "have been underway since last week" indicates that something started last week and is still continuing.

What is the difference between "have been underway" and "is underway"?

"Have been underway" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. "Is underway" indicates an action that is currently in progress. For example: "Preparations "have been underway" for weeks" vs. "The project "is underway" now."