have been watching

USAGE SUMMARY

"have been watching" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about an ongoing activity that began in the past and is still continuing. For example, you might say: "I have been watching the progress of our new product launch with great interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They may have been watching The Following.

Independent

What can he have been watching?

The New Yorker

"I would have been watching, anyway.

The New York Times - Sports

You have been watching over us.

The New York Times

"The enemy will have been watching us.

Independent

You should have been watching the left".

The New York Times

This time they have been watching closely.

The Economist

And people have been watching in droves.

The Washington Post

"I have been watching the debate.

The Guardian

Yes, I have been watching Transworld Sport.

The Guardian - Sport

How many of you have been watching the baseball playoffs?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been watching", consider if a more specific verb might be more appropriate, such as "monitoring" or "observing", to convey a more precise meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "have been watching" to describe actions that have already been completed and are not ongoing. Use the past perfect tense instead (e.g., "had watched").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been watching" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense. Ludwig AI indicates its use to describe an action that began in the past and continues into the present, emphasizing its ongoing nature. Examples from Ludwig show its application in various contexts, from observing events to following developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been watching" is a verb phrase in the present perfect continuous tense, used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It's commonly found in news and media, academia, and general conversation. When using "have been watching", ensure the action is indeed ongoing and consider more specific verbs if needed. Remember, it emphasizes duration and continuity. Ludwig's examples further highlight the phrase's versatility and proper usage across various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been observing

This alternative emphasizes a more formal and attentive type of watching, often with a specific purpose or goal.

have been monitoring

This alternative implies a systematic and regular tracking of something, often in a professional or technical context.

have been following

This alternative suggests keeping track of someone or something's progress or development over time.

have kept an eye on

This alternative is more informal and suggests a vigilant watchfulness.

have been tracking

This alternative implies a close and careful observation of data or information over a period of time.

have been keeping watch

This alternative suggests a state of readiness and anticipation while observing.

have been surveying

This alternative indicates a broad and comprehensive observation of an area or situation.

have been viewing

This alternative is a more general term for watching, suitable for various contexts.

have been witnessing

This alternative suggests observing an event or situation as it unfolds.

have been seeing

This alternative indicates a casual or unintentional observation.

FAQs

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

You can use "have been watching" to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing. For example, "I "have been watching" the news to stay informed about current events."

What are some alternatives to "have been watching"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "have been observing", "have been monitoring", or "have been following".

Is there a difference between "have been watching" and "have watched"?

Yes, "have been watching" implies an ongoing action, while "have watched" suggests a completed action. For example, "I "have been watching" the series all day" (still watching) versus "I "have watched" the series" (finished watching).

When should I use "have been watching" instead of "was watching"?

"Have been watching" emphasizes the duration and continuation of the action from the past to the present. "Was watching" refers to an action in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "I "have been watching" movies all afternoon" (still watching), versus "I "was watching" a movie when you called" (past action).