have been visiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been visiting" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing or has just finished. Here is an example: During my holidays, I have been visiting different countries in Europe.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We should have been visiting their coffee shops".

The New Yorker

Turkish business delegations have been visiting the Iraqi capital.

The Economist

Several high-level American officials have been visiting Japan.

The New York Times

But what about the Iowans they have been visiting?

The New York Times

"People have been visiting me for 38 years," she said.

The New York Times

Arabs have been visiting China since at least 600 CE.

The New Yorker

Pilgrims have been visiting it for thousands of years.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some of those arrested have been visiting American citizens with dual citizenship.

The Economist

I have been visiting Corfu for nearly 30 years, and have some very old friends there.

The Economist

Developers have been visiting Asia for more than 15 years to market properties.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, quite a lot of councils have been visiting Liverpool recently.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been visiting", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the action is ongoing or recently completed. It's a present perfect continuous tense, suggesting a duration.

Common error

Avoid using "have been visiting" when referring to a single, completed event in the past. Use the simple past tense instead. For instance, say "I visited" instead of "I have been visiting" if it was a one-time occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been visiting" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. Ludwig shows it describes actions that began in the past and continue into the present, or have recently ceased.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been visiting" is a versatile verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into the present, or have recently finished. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and applicability in both formal and informal contexts. Its frequent appearance in news and media underscores its widespread use. When writing, use this phrase to indicate ongoing or repeated actions, but avoid it for single, completed past events. Alternatives such as "have frequented" or "have been touring" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been frequenting

Similar to 'have frequented', emphasizing regular visits.

have frequented

Focuses on the regularity or habit of visiting a place.

have been touring

Implies a more extensive or planned series of visits.

have paid visits to

Highlights the act of deliberately visiting someone or something.

have made trips to

Emphasizes making a journey specifically for visiting.

have been dropping by

Suggests a casual visit or a series of informal visits.

have journeyed to

Focuses on the act of traveling to a place to visit.

have called on

Suggests a brief or formal visit.

have been gracing

Suggests that the person visiting is of significant social status.

have explored

Highlights the aspect of discovering or experiencing new things.

FAQs

How do I use "have been visiting" correctly in a sentence?

Use "have been visiting" to describe an action that started in the past and continues into the present, or has only recently finished. For example, "I "have been visiting" my grandmother every week for the past month."

What are some alternatives to "have been visiting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have frequented", "have been touring", or "have been frequenting".

Is "have been visiting" formal or informal?

The phrase ""have been visiting"" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "have been visiting" and "visited"?

"Have been visiting" implies a repeated action over a period, whereas "visited" suggests a single, completed action. For example, "I "have been visiting" Paris" suggests multiple trips, while "I visited Paris" indicates one trip.