have been withdrawing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been withdrawing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or process of taking something back or removing oneself from a situation over a period of time. Example: "I have been withdrawing from social events lately to focus on my personal well-being."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Men have seen their earnings drop and have been withdrawing from the work force.

The New York Times - Books

Officials have been withdrawing basic services in different sections to force people out.

The Guardian

Some parents have been withdrawing children from federal nutrition programs to avoid scrutiny.

The New York Times - Health

Drug companies have been withdrawing from antimicrobial research for several reasons.

The New Yorker

People have been withdrawing from the labor market in greater numbers because of their poor prospects.

The New York Times

The trading houses have been withdrawing from less profitable trading and refocusing on strong business sectors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

"The complaints have been withdrawn.

Independent

A dozen more claims have been withdrawn.

The Economist

Small, vulnerable detachments have been withdrawn.

The Economist

Ambassadors and diplomats have been withdrawn.

The Washington Post

Which egg products have been withdrawn?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have been withdrawing" to describe a continuous or repeated action of taking something away or removing oneself from a situation over a period of time. For instance, "investors have been withdrawing funds due to economic uncertainty".

Common error

Avoid using "have been withdrawing" to describe a single, completed action in the past. Instead, use "withdrew". For example, instead of "they have been withdrawing the offer yesterday", say "they withdrew the offer yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been withdrawing" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is continuing up to the present. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been withdrawing" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes a continuous action of removing or retreating over a period of time. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and versatile, fitting well within news, formal business, and scientific contexts. It's important to use it to describe ongoing or repeated actions rather than single, completed events. Alternative phrases like "have been retreating" or "have been pulling back" can provide similar meanings. Overall, "have been withdrawing" is a reliable and effective way to convey gradual removal or reduction in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been retreating

Focuses on the act of moving back or away, often implying a strategic or defensive maneuver.

have been pulling back

Emphasizes a gradual reduction in involvement or commitment.

have been receding

Suggests a gradual decline or diminution, like a tide going out.

have been diminishing

Highlights a reduction in size, quantity, or importance over a period.

have been drawing back

Similar to pulling back, but can also imply a cautious or hesitant movement.

have been backing away

Indicates a movement away from a situation, often due to fear or discomfort.

have been disengaging

Suggests a deliberate separation or detachment from a previous involvement.

have been stepping down

Implies a formal relinquishment of a position or responsibility.

have been scaling back

Focuses on reducing the scope or intensity of an activity or operation.

have been tapering off

Indicates a gradual decrease or cessation of something.

FAQs

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

Use "have been withdrawing" to describe a continuous action of removing something or someone over a period. For example, "The company's investors "have been withdrawing" their investments due to market instability".

What are some alternatives to "have been withdrawing"?

You can use phrases like "have been retreating", "have been pulling back", or "have been disengaging" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "they have been withdraw" instead of "they have been withdrawing"?

No, "they have been withdraw" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "they "have been withdrawing"". The present participle "withdrawing" is needed to form the present perfect continuous tense.

What's the difference between "have been withdrawing" and "withdrew"?

"Have been withdrawing" indicates a continuous action over a period, while "withdrew" refers to a completed action in the past. For example, "They have been withdrawing funds for months" versus "They withdrew the funds yesterday".